B2 - Wednesday, March 31, 1982 - North Shore News GEE sport ‘Lawn bowling — it’s not just for the old By TERRY LAVENDER WHAT DO YOU think of when you hear the words “lawn bowling”? A group of old = men leisurely pitching balls down a grassy field on a sunny afternoon, perhaps? Well, you're partly nght. Lawn bowling does have the reputation of a sport for old people, and people do enjoy it into their 90's. But that’s only part of the story. For instance, at the Cana- dian championships in 1980, one member of the Manitoba fours champion- ship team was 15 years old. Representing Ontarto in the pairs competition in the same championship was a father — son combination. with the father about 50 years old and the son around 20. And déna't forget Sir Fran- cis Drake, who completed his game of bowls at Plymouth Hoe after learning of the coming of the Spanish Armada. He was in his 40's at the time. But the elderly have taken to lawn bowling because, though stamina and strength are needed (in a game in- volving two players, they will each bowl a three to three and a half pound ball 72 times over about a two hour period), accuracy is just as important and there’s no running around. The game can be made as leisurely as the competitors wish. NIGHT PLAY Lawn bowling on the North Shore has been usual- ly played in the day — fine hours for thé6sé“who are retired, but inconvenicnat for people who work dunng the day “The club has probably been guilty of not providing a program of interest to peo- ple who work dunng the day.” says Syd Walker of the West Vancouver Bowhng Club But the West Van club, as part of a drive, Lawn new recrulting Is setting up compeh for the evenings, facihties: are for tion and now available members use Morning. alternoon and evening seven days a week clubes One oof the two gicens has been elit ata costof $8 0000 and pow both greens are fully lit for mighe play Ihe sire of the clubhouse and the cquip ment butlding were almost Joubled in 1981 Vip te PN players can be LAWN BOWLING can be as sociable or as competitive as you want to make it. Dur- ing the Canadian championships last year in North Vancouver, it was competitive. (Eric Eggertson photo) accomodated on the 16 nnks at one time. NOT EXPENSIVE Walker says lawn bowling is not an expensive game to play. A set of balls costs between $65 and $90 and lasts a lifetime, but new members can use balls sup- plied by the club. Approved clothing must be worn, however, meaning whites (which are only re- quired in competitions) and smooth soled heelless shoes in white, black or brown. There are no set teams ex- cept in competition or specially arranged games. Names are usually drawn at random for games, ensuring that club members get to know each other and that youre not jetang anyone down if you cant make it that day Coaching is available for new members Skating in SRA II through the Spring Break! Now both pie VoOULE way school and school aged children can unprove there funoion the we With CVCEY SIA skills aod have every day for a week one Instructor for enrolled yout children wall cnyoy lessons organized But what exactly is lawn bowling? It’s very like curling, says Walker, except that the target ts not painted on the ice, but is a ball (called the jack) thrown out at the beginning of the game that can then be moved in the course of the game by the other balls. It is played on a green between 40 and 44 yards square divided into eight lanes or rinks, permitting eight simultancous games. Two teams of one to four players cach compete at a tame. The bowls are not com pletely round, but are shght. ly “flattened” on one side. called the bias) The mas causes the bowl to curve from the straight, the extent of the curve depending on the speed The objective as) for one the Break games, and free skate time Pre school times 10 00 am Hl Wam School age mesa 1 OO pom ,OO pm Monday through Friday Aprils 9 Repister for this Skate Packape oat the Karen Magnussen Arcoa LOOKING FOR TRUSTWORTHY AUTO TECHNICIANS? { TAYLORMOTIVE IS BCAA APPROVED HOME OF THE AUTOMOTIVE Ho praatbibeercd bese Peeve ccar = Vey eteate en prertsetye at Py SPECIALISTS @i - AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS = COMPLETE GENERAL MEC HANE At - WHEEL FRAME ALIGNMENT & BAL Ane ING “ COLLISION REPAIRS BARE OVEN PAINTING erat OWN a a) ee vw TAYLORMOTIVE 174 PEMBERTON WV. A OUR 21ST YEAR OF CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ALTOOING MAE NT 985-7455 side to end the play with one or more of its bowls closer to the jack than any bowl of the opponents. Though the basic game 1s simple and beginners can en- joy it nmght away, strategy and skill can vary enormous- ly and many, many factors are taken into consideration by expert bowlers. ANCIENT SPORT Lawn bowling, in one form or another, was played by the Aztecs, the Maonis, the Indians, and the ancient Romans, Chinese, and Egyp- tians. It has vaned jiltle in its basic form for hundreds of years. Today it 1s played around the world. There are pro- bably at least 250,000 bowlers in the world Canada has about 10,000, with 3,500 of those in B OC The North Shore between 400 and has SOO members. Last August the North Vancouver club hosted the Canadian cham- pionships, while West Van- couver produced a men’s airs winning team in the 1970's — Charles Burns and Alex Johnston. The North Vancouver Lawn Bowling Club its Vroom tos ' located at 2160 Lonsdale, fo spare. telephone 985-2321. The Come to Kingsway Maz. da for a no-strings at- tached test drive in a brand new Mazda RX7' Best Mazda RX7 deals on the North Shore start at... KINGSWAY MAZDA 879-6301 DL b4t6 421 KINGSWAY West Van club is at 650 20th Street, 922-0411. For more information about the West Vancouver club call Syd Walker at 922- 7653. If you're interested in the North Vancouver club, you're mvited to come up to the club on Saturday, April 17. at 1:30 p.m. There'll be a coaching class at that ume. GOLF? Seymour Golf & Country Club still has a few memberships available in Men’s Full Play category. For information please phone: The Pro The Office 929-2611 929-5491 Tennis for juniors CAPILANO TENNIS CLUB... Spring Coaching Program Registration for juniors aged 10-18: Saturday, Aprii 3 & 10, 10 am - 12 noon at the Clubhouse on Capilano Rd. (next to the Capilano Pet Hospital) Cost $25 Includes: - 1 year Junior Membership - 6 lessons by Professtonal Coach in Beginners, Intermediate & Advanced Classes Enquiries: P.O. Box 86056 North Van. or telephone 985-8898 SKYLINE WAREHOUSE CLEAR OUT! $488 $988 $1988 Public Welcome Junior Baseball Bats Assorted Mens Hockey & Baseball Jerseys Muscle Shirts * Men 4 Junior Polyester Swoa Ladies All Leather Mitts « All Leather Glov Assorted Basketballs « “Mead T-Shirts * is Racquets * 1 Suits Volleybpalls All Wood Tenn Hours: Wed.-Fri.12-7 p.m. Sat. 9-5 p.m. MASTERCHARGE — VISA — AMERICAN EXPRESS 324 East Esplanade, North Van.