Disclaimer: The information in this article is general in nature and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or other qualified health professional before starting any exercise programme or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Bill Stevens began teaching aqua aerobics after retiring from a career in the wine industry. In August 2024, aged 96, he was still leading at least 10 classes a week across four Melbourne centres. That is the latest class schedule we could verify; it should not be read as a current timetable.
How Bill became an instructor
In a 2018 interview, Bill said he took a fitness instruction course after retiring. He first taught land aerobics, then added gym work and aqua aerobics. He started with one or two classes and gradually took on more centres.
His routine changed with age. In 2018, he said he was teaching about 12 water classes a week, down from 20 to 30 classes at his busiest. ABC News later reported that he had stopped running at 94, while continuing to teach in the pool. His story is about adapting an activity he enjoys, rather than following one fixed exercise routine.
Why people returned to his classes
ABC News visited one of Bill's classes at Aquarena in Lower Templestowe in 2024. More than 20 people took part. One regular, Helen Keesman, described both the exercise and a class WhatsApp group where members kept in touch. The report gives a concrete picture of what a regular pool class can offer: movement, familiar faces and a reason to return.
Another participant, 83-year-old Teresa Clarke, told ABC News she valued the friendships she had made in Bill's class. She spoke about attending after a hip replacement, but the report did not test whether the class caused any particular health change. The social detail helps explain why familiar instructors and regular sessions mattered to those interviewed.
Water aerobics is one option in older-adult guidance from Healthdirect. Australia's current movement guidance also recommends strength and balance activities alongside aerobic movement. A water class may help with some goals, but one class need not cover every type of activity.
Finding a water exercise class
If Bill's story makes you curious about joining a class, start with local groups on KeepActive and check the activity, suburb and session details. Then ask the aquatic centre about the current timetable. If you have a health condition or have been mostly inactive, Healthdirect advises talking with your doctor before starting a new exercise programme.
Before booking, a few questions can help you choose a session that suits you:
- Pool and access: What depth is used, how do participants enter the pool, and what support is available if you are not confident in water?
- Class pace: Is there a beginner option, and can movements be adapted or paused?
- Practical details: Do you need to book, what does it cost, and what should you bring?
Healthdirect notes that water-based classes can help people build confidence in the pool. Check the centre's own entry and supervision arrangements before assuming a class fits your needs.
