“After a few weeks training, Di suggested that I should give it a go, so I did and became one of the first men to paddle with Dragons Abreast Sydney as a supporter for Di.” Within a year Neil had made the NSW state team and, in 2007, represented Australia. Potter believes many older Australians are capable of far more than they realise. Instead, Potter believes older Australians should be “training like athletes”. For those worried strength training might be dangerous later in life, Potter says the approach is gradual and carefully supervised.