Century-Old Spectacular: World's Oldest Crowd Surfer at 99 Hits the Waves

In 2013, at the age of 87, I was playing basketball with my grandson, Ross, in Ohio while he was home from college. He recorded a video of me blocking his shot, posted it online, and it quickly gained attention. This led us to start creating comedy skits together, now garnering over 4 million followers on Instagram.

After producing numerous short videos, we decided to make a documentary about my life, which included compiling a bucket list. One item on this list was to break a world record. Ross and I brainstormed for months, aiming for something grand yet fun and inclusive. We decided on becoming the world's oldest crowd surfer.

Thanks to Ross's connection with country singer Brantley Gilbert, we secured help at a concert in Bellville, Texas. Initially, I was to be strapped to a board designed by Ross for my back's protection during the crowd surfing, but due to flexibility issues, we opted for a stretcher instead.

On the day of the event, I was 99 years and 274 days old. Crowd surfing was new to me, but to break the record, I needed to remain airborne for at least 10 seconds. With 20,000 attendees, the plan was to move me in a straight line from back to front of the crowd. However, we discovered that most attendees were seated, prompting a last-minute switch to the mosh pit. I traveled in a U-shape from stage right to stage left.

To ensure visibility, I wore a white T-shirt with a red outline of my face. Brantley introduced me, humorously promising to "beat me up if I dropped Granny." Launched into the crowd, I felt as though I was flying, trusting the people around me. Ross was concerned as I approached a 10-foot gap over a walkway, but security helped carry me over. I stayed aloft for over three minutes, nearly the length of a song, feeling content and uplifted.

Upon returning to the stage, the crowd chanted, “Granny, Granny,” and I stood there, absorbing the moment. My achievement was recognized by Guinness World Records as the oldest person to crowd surf at a concert.

Ross is the creative force behind our videos, likening himself to Steven Spielberg and me to Betty White. I only realized the popularity of our videos when people at the grocery store asked for photos. This new venture has significantly changed my life. Raised on a farm in Ohio as the youngest of seven children, I had little access to modern conveniences. During World War II, I worked in a weapons factory, and continued in factories until retiring at 83.

The videos provide a new kind of fulfillment. Meeting people is my favorite aspect, including encounters with Pope Leo and celebrities like Tom Holland and Bad Bunny. Fans often share how our videos have brought positivity into their lives. I cherish knowing that our work has helped reconnect families and uplifted spirits.

Caring for Ross as a baby brought us closer, now living together in Ohio. I celebrated my 100th birthday this summer with two parties, surrounded by friends and family. While I am the sole surviving sibling, the challenges of aging, like aches and pains, persist. Making our videos gives me purpose, helping me through difficult days.

Our videos aim to inspire others that it's never too late to pursue their dreams. If there's something you want to do, do it now and enjoy every moment, as time passes swiftly.