Why I became a DAREDEVIL IN MY 50s

Natasha Harding has decided that the passing years don't mean she's being put out to pasture

- 

I've always believed in trying new things and when I was younger I was always first in line for a rollercoaster. I competed with my brother on our bikes, and in my teens, I was the first to try my friend's jet ski at the beach, only to come crashing down into the waves, bruising my ego in the process. However, recently, because of family and work commitments as a writer, I might have got a bit, dare I say it, dull. But after reaching a milestone birthday, I'm determined to prove that 50 is the new 30, and push myself out of my comfort zone. My husband Paul, 56, and kids, Zak, 19, and Lexi, 11, think I'm crazy, but in my bid to be more exciting, I'm trying six new and daunting challenges. Here's how I got on...

Chariot ride

I've always loved the water and think nothing of dipping in the sea in my swimming costume in January. Lexi and I regularly bodyboard together when the waves are good. Camel Ski School in Rock is the UK's largest waterski centre and offers all kinds of water-based activities. For this challenge, I rope Lexi in and try a chariot ride- inflatables towed by a boat. Once we are kitted out in wetsuits and charming yellow helmets we are towed behind a boat on disc-shaped inflatables at very high speed. The skipper keeps giving us challenges to make it harder - such as going from sitting to kneeling, squatting and then trying to stand.