Kayaker, 90, completes 13-mile charity challenge

Barry Samples paddled from Whitby Harbour to Scarborough's South Bay

A 90-year-old man has kayaked 19 miles (30km) along the North Yorkshire coast to raise money for charity.

Barry Samples paddled from Whitby Harbour to Scarborough's South Bay on Saturday, raising almost £1,000 for St Catherine's Hospice.

He said the weather conditions had made the challenge more difficult than expected, taking eight hours rather than the five he had predicted.

He said: "We were knocked about a bit with the side wind and the head wind, but we did enjoy it looking back."

Mr Samples, from Whitby, said he felt lucky to still be able to get out, having completed the same challenge for the hospice 15 years ago.

He said: "I've done it before many years ago with a rowing boat, but I thought being 90 it was a round figure and I would do it again."

He added: "I am still fit because I carry on doing things I was doing when I was younger, I never stop.

"80% of it is luck to be healthy and the rest is diet and way of life, and a sense of humour, because that can release a lot of stress."

Mr Samples was supported through the challenge by his family

Mr Samples was joined on the water by his sons, Mark and Heath, and daughter, Kathy, who paddled alongside him.

He said age had not put him off taking regular trips out on the sea.

He added: "I spend a lot of time out there in my kayak, and I've also got the rowing boat.

"I enjoy being out there among the dolphins, the other people and the boats.

"Quite often, you get a pod of dolphins passing by. A few days ago one jumped right in front of me and I think it was just having a laugh. They're cracking things."

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