Great-grandfather hits the waves to become oldest ever person to kite surf

During a trip to Cabarete, Dominican Republic, in 2006, Rick Brackins (USA) saw people kite surfing down at the beach and decided to give it a go.

And he’s still doing it today – at 87 years old!

Last August, Rick was officially named the oldest person to kite surf (male) at 87 years and 20 days old, and nothing can stop this great-grandfather from getting out there on the water.

Rick, who worked in commercial real estate and now owns a bar and restaurant in Tampa, Florida, loves kite surfing because it’s a fun way to stay in shape.

It’s a passion he shares with his family too, and you can see him in the below picture kiting alongside his son Kenneth and his granddaughter, Kenneth’s daughter Kinley.

As far as they know, no other families have three generations of kite surfers who have been out on the water together.

Kenneth said: “People are surprised that he is still going kiteboarding.

“Many people on the beach see him kiting and consider taking lessons that normally wouldn't since they think they are too old.”

Read about more people like Rick in our Human Body section.

But as Rick has clearly demonstrated – there’s no such thing.

Rick, who has three kids, four grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, is also an avid diver and spearfisherman.

The adventurous senior is a whole decade older than the oldest kite surfer (female), Susan Frieder (USA), who was 77 years 188 days old when her record was verified.

The record for oldest person to surf (male) belongs to Seiichi Sano (Japan) at 88 years 288 days old. There’s currently no holder of the female title.