Sailing at 90 and still going

For one man, this wasn’t on his agenda when he decided to continue his passion of sailing at the grand age of 90.

Richard Redman has been competitively sailing now for over 50 years and is showing no sign of giving up.

Mr Redman said: “I have been sailing all my life but started it competitively when I was around 28-years-old.

“I started the Halifax Sailing Club because I was travelling 80 miles into Lancashire and that wasn’t great.

“When it started we had loads of people join and a lot of couples but unfortunately now there aren’t as many. Now we have around 80 members.

“I really enjoy the sailing because you need good upper body strength and although my knees have started packing in, I can carry it on.

“Not just that but you it is really good for the mind too and keeps that working.”

The father-of-four left school at 18 and worked down the mines, also known as a ‘Bevin Boy’, during the Second World War.

He then joined the clothing industry in which is spent the rest of his working life.

“At the beginning of the 80s the firm I was working for closed so I then set up firm making computer software for the clothing industry,” said Mr Redman, of Cragg Vale.

“Throughout my life I have been very active and use to do walking, skiing and of course the sailing.

Since my knees have started to give up I have had to stop the walking and skiing.”

The club is a members only club however they have seen a decline in subscriptions since they first opened their doors.

Founded in 1959, the club sits on the bank of Warley Moor Reservoir and will accept new members from dinghy sailors to windsurfers.

The club also offers training to anyone who feels less somewhat confident on the water.