Today is National Heath and Fitness Day and to celebrate that, John Warner can't think of anything he'd rather be doing than tossing bowls on the new grass at the Prince George Lawn Bowling Club.
And he'd like nothing better than to be surrounded by a bunch of new players willing to learn the game.
With that in mind, today from noon to 3 p.m. the club is hosting an open house at its eight-court facility just west of downtown on Third Avenue between Wainwright and Watrous streets.
"We have about 30 members - we lawn bowl four times a week and whoever can come, comes and then we pick teams," said Warner, who started playing about 12 years ago.
"It's a great way to spend a summer afternoon or evening, in the fresh air, and it doesn't take that much energy. You don't have to sweep like you do in curling."
Warner has a long background in curling as a former Kelly Cup champion and finds lawn bowling is quite similar.
Players roll their bowls from one court to the other, trying to come as close as they can to the smaller white ball (jack). Bowls are not spherically-shaped and are slightly oblong on one side to allow players to curl them around obstacles to hit the jack. The shaped side is indicated by a mark on each bowl.
"It's a great game for curlers too, the concept is exactly the same," said Warner.
"We don't like to think of it this way but it is kind of a retired person's sport. The thing with retired people is they get old and fade away on us, so every year we have to replace probably 25 per cent of our members just to hold our own. It's a constant struggle."
The club meets for games on Tuesdays (10 a.m.), Wednesdays (7 p.m.), Thursdays (1 p.m.) and Sundays (2 p.m.). Players have the choice of buying a $30 membership, plus $5 per game, or can pay a $130 annual fee. New players who want to try out the sport can play two free games. The season runs until the end of September and includes tournaments in Quesnel in July and Prince George in August. A wind-up event will follow in mid-September and play will continue until the snow flies.
On Sunday, June 11, the club is hosting a bring a friend event from 2-4 p.m.
Each player is required to wear flat-soled shoes to avoid damaging the closely-cropped grass courts. With the exception of shoes, the club supplies all the equipment.
For more information, contact Warner at 250-563-4888 or email him at [email protected].
