In 2013, when I was 87, I was playing basketball with my grandson Ross in Ohio while he was home from college. He filmed me blocking his shot, posted it online, and people loved it. We started making comedy skits together and now have more than 4 million followers on Instagram.
After making lots of short videos, we decided to make a documentary about my life. As part of it, we put together my bucket list. One thing I wanted to do was break a world record. Ross and I spent months thinking of something outrageous but also fun and inclusive. We decided I would become the world’s oldest crowd surfer.
Ross knows the country singer Brantley Gilbert, and he agreed to help us at a show he was playing in Bellville, Texas. At first, during the crowd surfing, I was going to be strapped to a board Ross made to protect my back, but it was flexing too much, so he strapped me into a stretcher instead.
I was 99 years and 274 days old the day it happened. It was the first time I had ever crowd surfed. To break the record, I had to stay up for at least 10 seconds. There were 20,000 people in the crowd. We planned for them to move me in a straight line from the back to the front. But 20 minutes before we were supposed to start, we saw that everyone in the main crowd was sitting in chairs with gaps between them. Ross started panicking. We used the mosh pit instead, and I traveled in a U-shape from stage right to stage left.
I wore a white T-shirt with a red outline of my face on it so I would stand out from the crowd. Brantley introduced me and said, “I’ll beat you up if you drop Granny.”
I was launched out and I felt as if I was flying. I knew I had to trust everyone. Ross panicked because there was a walkway between both sides of the stage with a 10ft gap and a high fence that I had to be passed over. He jumped the fence as I went across and security people carried me over. I was held up for more than three minutes, nearly an entire song. I felt so content. I put my arms out and felt I could touch the sky.
When I got back on the stage, the crowd chanted, “Granny, Granny.” I stood there, soaking it all in. It gave me chills. I was recognized by Guinness World Records for becoming the oldest person to crowd surf at a concert.
Ross comes up with all the ideas. He says he’s Steven Spielberg and I’m Betty White. I only realized how much people liked our videos when I went to the grocery store one day and people were asking to take pictures with me.
This is a whole new life for me. I grew up on a farm in Ohio, the youngest of seven children. We didn’t have TV or a phone. We had chores to do from a young age. During the Second World War, I made ammunition in a weapons factory, and I worked in factories until I retired at 83. I’ve worked hard. It gave me purpose. The videos are a new kind of work. Meeting people is my favorite part. I’ve met Pope Leo and celebrities like Tom Holland and Bad Bunny on red carpets. I love meeting people who know us from social media. They come up to me and say, “I was lonely and sad in the hospital and I watched your videos to lift me up.” People say they’ve reconnected with family after watching Ross and me together. When I’m on my deathbed, I want to know that we made everybody’s day a little better.
I took care of Ross wheWhen he was a baby, but this has brought us closer. Before, I only saw him a few times a year, but now we live together in Ohio. I turned 100 this summer, and I had two parties with hundreds of people. I can’t believe I’m 100. I’m the only one of my siblings who has lived this long. Not all days are easy. The hardest part of getting older is the aches and pains. Making our videos gives me a purpose, and that lifts me up on days when I don’t feel so good. I hope our videos make people realize that it’s never too late to live your best life. If you want to do something new, do it now. Enjoy every moment, because it goes by in the blink of an eye. As told to Alexandra Sims. Do you have an experience to share? Email experience@theguardian.com
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs At 99 I Became the Worlds Oldest Crowd Surfer
Beginner Questions
What does crowd surfing mean
Crowd surfing is when a person is passed overhead from hand to hand across a crowd usually at a concert The crowd supports you while you lie on your back
Who is the worlds oldest crowd surfer
A 99yearold woman became the oldest known crowd surfer after surfing the crowd at a concert
How old was she when she did it
She was 99 years old
Where did this happen
At a live music concert where she was attending as a fan Reports say it happened at a rock concert
Is crowd surfing dangerous
It can be Risks include falling being dropped or getting hurt in a mosh pit But with a supportive crowd and safety steps it can be done more safely
Do you have to be young to crowd surf
No Age isnt a strict rule but health mobility and crowd safety matter a lot Her story shows age alone doesnt have to stop you
What should I wear if I want to try it
Wear secure comfortable clothes and closedtoe shoes Avoid loose items like glasses jewelry or anything that can fall or get caught
How do you start a crowd surf
Usually friends or nearby fans lift you up You lie back keep your body straight and let the crowd pass you along
Advanced Questions
What are the main benefits of crowd surfing at an older age
It can be a thrilling joyful experience that challenges age stereotypes It may boost confidence create a sense of community and make a memorable story
What are the biggest risks for older crowd surfers
Higher risk of fractures bruises or head injuries from falls Crowd density and physical strain are also concerns
How can an older person crowd surf more safely
Get medical clearance first
Choose a calm supportive crowd and a less chaotic part of the venue
Have friends nearby to help lift and guide you
Keep the surf short
Tell venue staff or security ahead of time if possible
What common problems happen during crowd surfing
People get dropped hair or clothes get
