Ninety-year-old Merv Grewar has raised more than $4000 and is planning another 100m indoor rowing world record attempt.
It will be a low-key affair in the coming weeks.
It follows his three attempts on Saturday to break the 90+ age group category world record in front of a live audience and livestreamed on the Fit 4 Life Facebook page.
He was mere seconds away.
‘‘Unfortunately I only got 1.3 seconds away from it,’’ Merv said.
‘‘But be assured that in approximately one month’s time I will try again, and from what I learnt from these three attempts, I will give it at least a bloody good fright.’’
The event, supported by Merv’s personal trainer Angus McKenzie-Heard, was also a chance for Merv to promote and raise money for Dementia Canterbury.
It was a cause close to his heart and chosen in memory of his late wife, Colleen, who had Alzheimer’s.
Merv said more than $4000 had been raised.
But donations were still appreciated via Givealittle at support-mervgrewars-worldrecord-row-for-dementia.
‘‘We currently have over $3000 without taking into consideration what was reaped at the row,’’ he said, following the record attempt.
Since then Merv said another $1000 had been raised.
In the lead up to the event, Merv was training four-days-a-week.
His training included workouts rowing on the erg machine as well as a sensible diet of meat, especially fish, with vegetables and plenty of fruit.
It must have worked, he even had energy to indulge his passion as a jazz drummer by playing in the band Don’s Boyz between record attempts.
Merv already holds the New Zealand record for the 85–89 age group which got at the 2022 South Island Masters.
‘‘Next time will only be in the gym without the hoopla of this attempt.
‘‘But still donations to our cause would be appreciated.’’
