Hortense Morris kayaking. Photo By: Bruce Lipsky

Kayaking for the First Time at 99

by Lindi Horton Jul 18, 2011

Hortense Morris has one word for 90 year old sister-in-law Alma Del Valle: Sissy. For her 99th birthday, Hortense wanted to celebrate by challenging her physical limits. She, along with four generations of her family, kayaked the Fort George River. Alma watched from the shoreline.

Speaking with Kayak Amelia, Morris’s grandson explained his grandmother had expressed a desire to try kayaking in 2010.

George explained, “She said that if she was still feeling good next year, she wanted to go kayaking.”

After completing an hour of kayaking, she posed for photos with her paddle. Someone called out, “Grandma, you look like you know what you’re doing.”

Hortense responded:

“I do know what I’m doing, I’m standing here looking like an idiot.”

As for next year, her 100th birthday, she wants to do something special.

“I’ve never been skydiving,” she said.

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