Just keep on keeping on, whatever the outcome…

This post is a human/AI collaboration. The original question and response have been edited and shortened by John Grant for clarity.

A question that started me thinking

Someone out there Googled (Google AI Overview):  “Is it possible that John Grant still windsurfs at 85 years old?”

The question appeared all in lower-case letters on my iPhone feed a few days ago. Curiosity got the better of me, and I followed the trail.

Google's AI-generated response identified me as an older windsurfer who documents his adventures through photographs and writing on windinsight.com. It referred to YouTube video footage of me windsurfing at 85, recorded by Scott Smith, and to my continuing adventures at 86, also documenting my age with a second YouTube windsurfing video from Scott Smith.

The search led me to other older windsurfers, including individuals whose achievements have been documented by Guinness World Records. There are also likely many others whose ages and continued participation in the sport have never been recorded.

Could keeping fit and maintaining my overall regimen put me on the leaderboard sometime in the coming decade? Perhaps! But finding and contacting every windsurfer aged 80 or older would be a formidable task, with no guarantee of reaching them all.

And then I began to think: Is the record really the point?

The more important question

I'm 86. I have lived through challenges, including cancer, a few severe injuries, and I continue to enjoy windsurfing, golf, cycling, hiking, working out, photography, writing and, of course, family and friends. I also enjoy the ordinary responsibilities of home, chores, and daily life.

I don't share this to overstate my age or suggest that everyone should be able to do what I do. We each have our own circumstances, abilities and limitations.

But perhaps there is something worth sharing in the decision to keep participating in life, to keep adapting, and to keep looking for what remains possible.

Two thoughts have stayed with me:

“If it's going to be, it's up to me.”

“Keep on keeping on.”

Neither is a guarantee of success. Life doesn't always cooperate, and sometimes we must change direction, accept help or redefine our goals. But where we have a choice, our personal effort matters. The small decisions to exercise, learn, explore, maintain friendships, try again and remain curious can add up to something worthwhile.

For me, windsurfing is one expression of that choice. It brings together physical effort, balance, nature, friendship and the sheer pleasure of being out on the water. I intend to continue for as long as it remains possible and enjoyable.

If sharing a little of my experience encourages someone else to reconsider giving up on an activity, a challenge or a possibility that still matters to them, then this story will have served a purpose beyond any record.

Family, friends, golf, cycling, hiking, windsurfing, working out, photography, blogging and the usual household chores fill most of my days.

A world record or any acknowledgement would be an interesting bonus. That said, it isn't the reason I keep going. I’m uncomfortable with looking at the leaderboard. To be one of the older windsurfers is good enough for me.

The goal may shine in the distance, but the strength of the effort we make along the way is a significant part of the reward.

Life goes on. And if the wind is blowing, you may well find me out there.

Keep on keeping on…