Ageing: You're never too old to learn, says Charles Eugster, aged 97

Charles Eugster started rowing in his 60s, body building in his 80s and sprinting at 97. He tells Margaret Jennings why he has become a ‘poster boy’ for ageing well.

HE claims he was “a balding, self -satisfied lump of lard” in his 40s, but took up competitive rowing at age 63 after his sedentary life building up a private dentistry practice and raising a family.

But despite winning 40 gold medals over the subsequent two decades at World Masters regattas, and staying super fit, rowing six days a week, Charles Eugster didn’t like what he saw in the mirror.