For many older women, spending time in the water offers much more than a good workout.
A new study suggests that activities such as swimming, rowing, kayaking, surfing, and water aerobics can strengthen not only physical health but also emotional well-being, social connections, confidence, and even a sense of identity.
The research, led by scientists at Concordia University’s engAGE Centre for Research on Aging and McMaster University’s Gilbrea Centre for Studies in Aging, argues that water should be viewed as an important part of healthy aging rather than simply a place to exercise.
To better understand the role water plays in later life, the researchers reviewed nearly 1,500 published studies.
They then closely examined 36 peer-reviewed studies that focused specifically on older women’s experiences with water-based leisure activities, including swimming, sailing, surfing, kayaking, rowing, and aqua fitness.
The findings showed that water has a much deeper impact on women’s lives than many people realize.
One of the clearest benefits was improved physical and mental health. Many women reported that being in the water helped reduce joint pain, improve movement, and make exercise feel easier than activities on land.
Water-based exercise also helped relieve stress and supported women as they coped with difficult experiences such as grief and loss.
The researchers found that these activities also helped women develop confidence and discover new parts of themselves.
Learning new skills, whether mastering a kayak, joining a rowing team, or becoming a regular swimmer, gave many participants a sense of achievement. Some even began to see themselves as athletes or lifelong water enthusiasts, helping reshape how they viewed aging.
Water also carried strong emotional meaning. Many women described feeling deeply connected to lakes, rivers, beaches, or the ocean because these places reminded them of childhood memories, family traditions, or important moments in their lives.
Others found peace, comfort, or even spiritual meaning while spending time near or in the water. These experiences created a strong sense of belonging that went beyond recreation.
Another major benefit was the opportunity to build friendships and supportive communities. Joining swimming groups, rowing clubs, or water fitness classes allowed many women to meet others with similar interests. These social connections helped reduce feelings of loneliness while encouraging participants to stay active and continue trying new experiences.
However, the researchers also found that many women face barriers that make it harder to enjoy water activities. Costs, limited transportation, health concerns, worries about body image, cultural expectations, and environmental problems such as polluted waterways can all discourage participation.
The study found that these challenges can often be reduced by providing affordable programs, accessible facilities, welcoming community groups, and women-only activities where participants feel more comfortable.
The researchers believe aging studies should pay greater attention to the broader role of water in people’s lives. Rather than seeing water simply as a setting for exercise or rehabilitation, they argue it should be recognized as something that shapes people’s relationships, identities, emotions, and communities.
By better understanding these connections, they hope future research and public policies will create more inclusive recreational opportunities that help older women enjoy not only the physical benefits of water but also its social, emotional, and personal rewards.
