Britain’s oldest female surfer has been pictured taking to the waves for her annual surfing holiday – aged 75.
Grandmother Jackie Ingram only took up the hobby five years ago – but has proved a natural on the board.
The thrill-seeking pensioner has just returned from her annual holiday in Devon where she was reportedly putting youngsters half her age to shame.
She has been learning to surf for the past five years, having tuition for one week a year with Surf South West during her annual visit to Croyde.
Instructors at Surf South West said they were proud to have the active OAP in their lessons, and thinks she could teach 30 to 40-year-olds a thing or two about determination.
Jackie, from Berkshire, said: “Age is just a number, I don’t really think about it.
I just love the feeling of surfing – it gives you a high.”
Darren Burrett, owner of Surf South West, said: “‘We have taught plenty of older surfers over the past 20 years at Croyde.
“But Jackie breaks the record of being our oldest ever customer.
“Her attitude and approach to riding waves is a true inspiration. No matter what the conditions are like, Jackie is always frothing to get in the water and try and improve her surfing. She doesn’t let anything stop her and is always determined to succeed.
“Jackie has gone from being a complete beginner to being up and riding the waves with style and control.”
”We often have to reassure worried customers in their thirties and forties that think they may be too old to surf, so it’s fantastic to show them that we have successfully taught a 75-year-old to stand up on a board.”
During Jackie’s most recent trip to the North Devon coast she was accompanied by her daughter and granddaughter, who were following in the OAPs footsteps and giving surfing a go.
The trio, who have now returned to Berkshire, are already planning their next surfing trip.
Darren said: “Jackie is a huge inspiration to everyone here.
“Taking Jackie surfing inspires us all at the surf school and we can only hope that we are all still in the water surfing to the same standard when we are the same age.”
