He recommended swimming to anyone who had suffered a stroke. "I would say to all stroke victims that where possible they must try and attend hydrotherapy."
Meanwhile, West Aucklander Dick Smith feels the same way about swimming to keep at bay the effects of old age. The 79-year-old has been taking part in the series since it was founded more than a decade ago.
It came as no surprise to his family that a major consideration in choosing a date for his 80th birthday celebration would be the timing of the final event in the series.
He turns 80 on the weekend of the King of the Bays swim but will only celebrate the milestone when he has completed the 2.8km swim.
"I haven't missed a King of the Bays swim since 2004 and don't plan to miss out this year," said Smith.
"I consider myself exceptionally lucky to be able to share my love of ocean swimming with three of my grandsons and occasionally my son-in-law. God willing, I will be taking part for a few more years to come.
"The kids are organising a family celebration for both the good lady, whose birthday is close to mine, and myself, for later the same day. There will be lots of good humour, good food and maybe a glass or two of something special."
John Pavich, 80, has the honour of being the oldest Aucklander taking part in the event. The Mt Albert veteran is a former marathon runner and took up ocean swimming after a workplace injury and multiple back operations.
At the completion of the 2.8km King of the Bays, he will have taken part in five of the six swims in this series. Pavich was determined his injuries wouldn't hold him back from his love of being active.
"I started with the ladies doing water aerobics at St Lukes as a recovery exercise," he said.
He then built up his endurance and a year later took to the sea.
"I like the ocean because it's continuous, you don't reach the wall and have to turn all around. It's not back and forth," he said. Swimming has become a big part of Pavich's life.
He trains three times a week in the pools at Onehunga under coach Carmel Dixon, who he credits with teaching him control - a necessary skill for ocean courses, which can be choppy. "The hardest thing is the current. You can look up after swimming and find yourself in the exact same place. It's a challenge."
Pavich takes that control to the ocean with him every Saturday where he swims a couple of kilometres at St Heliers. He likes to swim on his own.
"I prefer to do my own thing, I put my own pressure on me. You've got to be motivated yourself because nobody can do it for you."
The ocean keeps the 80-year-old feeling good. "It keeps me young. Lots of people don't believe I'm 80, they think I'm 60. I'm lucky that I'm still going for it."
Scott Rice, State NZ Swim Series event director, said they were seeing a growing number of people aged over 70 taking part in the series.
"Swimming is gentle on the body but delivers huge benefits," he said. "Guys like John and Dick are living proof that 80 is the new 60. Anything is possible."
www.oceanswim.co.nz
State King of the Bays Ocean Swim
When: Saturday, April 12.
Where: Takapuna Beach, North Shore, Auckland.
Distances and Times:State Ocean Kids' 200m at 12.05pm; ``Give It A Go'' 300m at noon; ``Step It Up''
1000m at 11.20am; ``I'm Going Long'' 2.8km at 9.30am.
Series winners (2013/14):
Harbour Crossing: Kane Radford, Charlotte Webby.
Bay of Islands Classic: Jarrod Poort, Paige Schendelaar-Kemp.
Capital Classic: George O'Brien, Emma Robinson.
La Grande Swim: Rhys Mainstone, Melissa Gorman.
Sand to Surf: Rhys Mainstone, Melissa Gorman.
