feel good
Coffs Harbour tap dancer Lorraine Kaemphel, 99, inspires seniors to stay active
In short:
A 99-year-old tap dancer is encouraging seniors to break out of their comfort zones to keep active.
Coffs Harbour woman Lorraine Kaemphel credits her good health to dancing classes that she started 30 years ago.
What's next?
Members of her tap dance class are planning something special for her centennial celebration in November.
Coffs Harbour woman Lorraine Kaemphel was 70 when she took up tap dancing as a way of staying fit and making friends.
Twenty-nine years later, and with plenty of eisteddfod ribbons to her name, Ms Kaemphel has no intention of hanging up her tap shoes.
Ms Kaemphel attends up to three tap classes per week. (ABC Coffs Coast: Charles Rushforth)
"I think I've got a healthier body than other people my age. I just love the fun, fitness, and friendship of it," she said.
Ms Kaemphel said she took two dance classes a week, including tap classes with her friend and dance instructor, Julie Ross.
"She's just a darling and an inspiration," Ms Ross said.
"She's inspired so many people at the studio, even children.
"They're always amazed seeing Lorraine on stage."
Loading...Fun, fitness, friendship
Ms Kaemphel's tap dancing journey started after a routine lunch at a local RSL club.
Despite having no previous experience, she recalled being mesmerised by a group of adult tap dancers who had been hired to perform that day.
"[The instructor] said anyone was welcome to come along for fun, fitness, and friendship," she said.
"So I went along with my eldest daughter and a friend — they stayed for a few months, but I stayed for 15 years."
Ms Kaemphel enjoys the social and physical benefits of tap dancing. (Supplied: Julie Ross Dance Studio)
Ms Kaemphel's dancing future was threatened six years after starting tap classes when she underwent triple bypass heart surgery.
Far from discouraging her, Ms Kaemphel said she went back to tap classes six weeks later.
"The heart surgeon said, 'Don't ever give it up'," she said.
"He told me my feet were still tapping when I was being taken away to the operating theatre."
Lorraine Kaemphel has been tap dancing for 30 years in Coffs Harbour. (Supplied: Julie Ross Dance Studio)
On the front foot
Ms Kaemphel said she was aware of health and safety issues associated with her beloved hobby.
Age-related macular degeneration has left her with no central vision, limiting her sight to peripheral vision.
She has also been using a walking stick.
Following her heart surgery, Ms Kaemphel said she began looking for a dance instructor who was more open to her needs.
She said she Julie Ross had struck up a lasting friendship since she joined her classes 15 years ago.
"She never treated me as the old one," Ms Kaemphel said.
"I'm just another member of the class."
Ms Ross said she took extra care to tailor the steps of her dance routines to match Ms Kaemphel's ability.
She said she placed her in the second row of dancers so she could clearly see her fellow members.
Sue Vial (left) and Janice Gregory say they are inspired by Ms Kaemphel. (ABC Coffs Coast: Charles Rushforth)
Fellow members Janice Gregory and Sue Vial said Ms Kaemphel's presence was a constant source of inspiration.
"I think we all aspire to be as good as her when we get close to 100 years old,"Ms Vial said.
"She enjoys our company too because we look after her.
"We make sure she gets on and off the dance floor."
Ms Gregory said Ms Kaemphel's memory was amazing.
"She sometimes picks us up on when we make a mistake," she said.
The class has planned a special tap performance, set to Earth Wind and Fire's 1978 disco hit September, to celebrate Ms Kaemphel's 100th birthday in November.
Exercise solutions
Ms Ross said her adult classes were becoming more popular as students looked to reconnect with their prior dancing experience or try something new.
But she said despite the mental, social, and benefits of dancing, many seniors were cautious about trying it for the first time.
Julie Ross has been teaching Ms Kaemphel tap dance for more than 15 years. (ABC Coffs Coast: Charles Rushforth)
"People in their 60s come to me and say, 'Oh, I'm too old to start that' but all their arguments go out the door when they see Lorraine dancing,"Ms Ross said
Ms Kaemphel said she had been cautioned by many seniors her own age about the dangers of dancing.
"I've had people tell me, 'You're a fool, that'll kill you. Why don't you stay home?" she said.
She has two words for them.
"No way."