Bucket list blowout

Jack Nicholson in the film The Bucket List encouraged older people to fly high. Photo / Supplied

In hit movie The Bucket List, Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman proved age was no barrier to driving sports cars and skydiving.

Now Kiwi pensioners are refusing to take old age lying down, with ACC paying seniors almost $6.3 million for sporting injuries in the last financial year.

The organisation dealt with almost 1200 active claims in the 12 months to June 30, 2009, more than 900 of them new. The average payout was almost $5300.

And they weren't all for the more sedate pastimes like bowls and boating - people aged 65 and over were injured doing everything from bungy jumping to polo and mountaineering.

Golf generated the most claims, with 106 people getting $570,000. That was followed by fitness training and gym workouts, which saw 58 people get $520,000.

An ACC spokesman said the organisation encouraged older people to keep active, but urged them to "take care".

Grey Power president Les Howard said he was a fit 80-year-old who still enjoyed fishing outings: "I think it's just a normal part of life."

Nutritionist Anna Richards said people of all ages should keep active: "Find something you really like doing so you're going to keep doing it."

The ACC figures aren't the only indication seniors are staying active for longer. A survey of 1100 baby boomers by the website grownups.co.nz showed 9.2 per cent play competitive sport and 15.8 per cent belong to a sports club.

Insurance Council of New Zealand chief executive Chris Ryan said senior citizens were taking out more travel insurance.

Some had cover for trekking in the Himalayas and safaris in South Africa.