Watch: Family watches in shock as 102-year-old super-grandad jumps into sea while on a boat trip
A 102-year-old man was seen diving into the sea in style and the memorable event was captured on video by his grandson. Franklin Estes felt like having a swim while on a boat trip with his family. However, instead of using the ladder to get down to the water, he decided to shock everyone around him by simply diving straight in. Completely bemused by what transpired in front of their eyes, Franklin's family members are heard in the video repeatedly screaming "no way" while laughing at the incident.
Speaking exclusively to Unilad, Franklin's 51-year-old grandson Shaun Kelley, from Bedford, New Hampshire, said that diving into the sea is not a big deal for his grandfather. He informed that Franklin was born in 1916 weighing less than two pounds. He said "it is a miracle he survived back then" before having championed through the Great Depression and two world wars.
Franklin was reportedly diagnosed with polio followed by a serious viral infection in his 30s. However, the old-timer cruised through it all. Shaun thinks that these struggles made his grandfather strong and says he is capable of doing a lot more as compared to his contemporaries.
"I’ve been blessed to have been very close to him my entire life. I knew he was very different than most grandfathers as he would play baseball with me and my friends in the street. Ultimately, he would do the same with my boys well into his 90s," Shaun explained.
"He is very active. He lives alone in his own house, mows his lawn with a push mower, plants flowers, cooks his own meals, climbs on his roof to clean his gutters, and still drives! In fact, he broke down and bought a new car last year!
"For his 101st birthday, we took him horseback riding. For 103, he says he wants to go skydiving," he said. The grandson relived the amazing moment on camera and was delighted that he was able to capture it.
Having said that, Shaun was allegedly "blown away with the response" after his son posted the footage on YouTube and on Reddit, where it received over 33,900 upvotes.
The grandson said the amount of love his grandad was showered with online was well-deserved. "My grandfather has never had the limelight and it makes me very happy to see him get this recognition," Shaun said. "He’s a good man and I’m very proud to call him my grandfather. I love him with all my heart.
"My parents are gone, his wife is gone, so now it’s just him, my sister and her family, and me and my family. I never expected it to get this reaction but, it makes me happy to see him getting recognition and attention!" he said.