TRURO, N.S. — Karlee Jones hardly seems like your stereotypical lawn bowler.
But she spun balls across the turf at the Douglas Street Recreation Centre like a natural on Saturday, as the playing technique is somewhat similar to curling, her favourite winter sport.
“It’s obviously not a violent or super-physical sport but you’re still doing a lot of stuff that requires control and dexterity,” said Jones, from Bedford. “It’s something really fun to do in the summer, it’s very relaxing and a good environment.”
Jones was in Truro with her curling squad, Team McEvoy, for National Lawn Bowls Day. Her curling friends Shelley Barker, Kelly Backman and Julie McEvoy all adapted well to lawn bowls, making some strong throws, with a little help from Cobequid Lawn Bowls Club coaches.
Both Jones and her team mates found lawn bowls akin to curling because players must aim at a target, in this case a small yellow ‘jack’ ball on the turf. Just like rocks on the ice, lawn bowls must be launched in such a way to ‘curl’ towards their target.
“They have a wonderful club here,” said Jones. “There’s a good camaraderie here and it’d be a really great place to come and make friends and hang out and just have fun.”
Her coach Chris Donnachie said lawn bowls was good exercise but not stressful on the body, as well as a good way for people to enjoy the fresh air and “keep their social skills sharp,” into old age.
He enjoyed the opportunity to teach lawn bowls to new players, as well as to sign up new members at the Cobequid Lawn Bowls Club.
“[People] can bowl their whole life…right from 12 years up to 90,” said Donnachie. “It’s definitely a sport for your life.”
National Lawn Bowls Day events were held in communities across Canada on June 8. Roughly 20 people, including both younger and more elderly players, came to the Truro session.
The first three games are free for new members. The fee for full club membership is just $125.00 per season. People can enjoy coffee and regular league sessions as well as drop-in games.
Coffee League games currently run on Mondays and Fridays at 1:30 p.m. The time will switch to 9:30 a.m. in July.
For more information, please email [email protected] or visit the club’s website at www.cobequidlawnbowls.com. People can also visit the Cobequid Lawn Bowls Club’s Facebook page of the same name.
