Ciaran Shier got in touch recently to let us know about his dad who has been a great advocate of the Concept2 rowing machine for the last 20 years.

"I'm writing to tell you about my 69 year old father who, unknown to you, is possibly one of your best advocates and proof of the incredible health benefits of the Concept2 rowing machines.

Recently I went to visit my father and as is usual during my visit I jumped on his Concept2 rower. I regularly use Concept2 rowers at my gym which are quite new and I was amazed how my fathers Concept2 rower still provided such a consistent performance which matched that of the new ones at the gym. My amazement comes from the fact it is about 20 years old and after rough calculations must have clocked over 25,000 kilometres. My father currently rows for 20 minutes on it every day. When I say everyday I really mean EVERY day! Unfortunately the display is broken and so he just uses a timer.

He has been a dedicated rower all his life and was very successful all through School and University. He has always been a very fit individual through rowing and playing rugby. He was a very dedicated family GP working along side and then taking over the local practice from his father, he is now retired. He has also been an integral part of the local rugby club, Penryn RFC where he has been a player, coach, chairman and president and continues to volunteer in whatever needs doing to help, including every Tuesday morning to do cleaning and maintenance work at the club. He maintained his love of rowing by buying a single seat sculling boat about 30 years ago to use on the creek he lives on in Cornwall which he would use early in the morning before going to work at the surgery.

It was about 20 years ago when he became aware of Concept2 rowing machines and bought one to allow him to row when the conditions didn't allow him to get out on the water. He has been fanatical about it ever since, positively endorsing the amazing fitness and health benefits of Concept2 rowing to family, friends, colleagues etc. To this day he still tells people about the health benefits of rowing and how great the Concept2 rowing machines are and everyone who knows him, knows his dedication to rowing.

Like I said at the start he is 69 years old and nothing is going to stop him continuing to row every day. The benefits are clear to see by looking at how fantastic he looks for his age.

So why am I telling you this? Well following my recent visit to see him and being amazed at how well his Concept2 performed still after 20 years and the use it has had over those years, I felt compelled to write to you.

I should say he has no idea about me writing this email. I write it to tell you about his amazing commitment to Concept2 and his endorsement of them over the past 20 years as a GP, a sportsman, a family man and great friend to many people in his community."

We thought it was a lovely email for a son to write on behalf of his father plus it's nice to know that after 20 years Dermott is still rowing on his Model B every day!