Frances Woofenden is an 84-year-old competitive trick water skier who also bikes 10 miles a day. But it's her functioning knees that are her greatest source of pride. She brags about them like some would their grandkids.

And why shouldn't she?

While others with far younger joints dread a flight of stairs, Woofenden gracefully twists, turns and twirls like a dancer, while balanced on a slat of carbon graphite and tethered to a boat doing 28 miles an hour.

This unusual talent landed her a gig as the face -- and body and lifestyle -- of V8, the vegetable drink. The grandmother from suburban West Palm Beach has zipped across the water in television commercials and smiled from full-page ads in Women's Day and Martha Stewart Living.

People who know her wonder how long she'll last. Those who have never met her have trouble believing she's as old as she is.

Woofenden doesn't care.

''I never even think about my age,'' she says, ``until my birthday rolls around and I see all those candles.''

But when you're a water-skiing octogenarian -- and a ''hot grandma,'' as Woofenden has been called -- it's your age that gets attention, especially from the national media.

The questions those reporters come up with, though! They baffle Woofenden.

A CBS News correspondent, for example, said he was surprised she'd wear a bathing suit on national television.

''What was I going to wear?'' she asks, still incredulous three years later. ``Bloomers?''

Not Woofenden, who refuses to sacrifice style for her sport -- or sex appeal because of her age. She favors cotton-candy colored lipstick, pearly pink nail polish and a backless violet bathing suit. (She likes to match her suits to her beige and purple Nautiques ski boat.) And always, in water or on land, her gold hoop earrings, which make her feel ``complete.''

When she's not on water skis, she's cruising around in her Mercedes SL 500, which still smells of fresh leather.

The widow invites you to peek inside. ''Isn't it cool?'' she giggles.

Woofenden has two laughs, one so high pitched and bubbly you'd think you were talking to a high school cheerleader, and another so loud and deep you wonder how it came out of her tiny 105-pound body.

The bubbly laugh is the one you get when you ask for her secret to looking so good.

''My diet and exercise. I never overeat, no sweets, a lot of fruit,'' she says.

And, ever the pitchwoman for the company now sending her a handsome check, ``I drink V8 juice.''

Woofenden talks about her life like it's a novel nowhere close to being finished. She didn't even start skiing until age 50, when her late husband bought a boat after she voiced an interest in learning the sport. (Stewart Woofenden, a doctor who died of cancer in 2005, was like that, she says fondly, surprising her with lavish presents.)

Since then, she has racked up over 100 awards, including the Women 10 national slalom, tricks and overall titles at the 2008 Water Ski National Championships in West Palm Beach.

Age simply doesn't matter, she says. It's really, truly about how you feel. And Woofenden feels great. So great, she's telling America.

She curls up on her cream leather couch and fumbles with the remote control. She has the V8 commercial on a DVD and airs it often for visitors. But before she pushes play, she gives an enthusiastic preview.

She skied on a lake in California! The crew provided a professional driver! Even a chef for the day! And, best of all, she is the oldest person in the commercial!

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@