Horseshoe aficionados courting new members

BY SYLVIA SHELDON

Jim Hoffman says he started throwing horseshoes when he was 12 years old. He remembers going on vacation to Alberta where the family farm had a horseshoe pit beside the barn. He thought the game was a “prairie” thing.

He and his dad enjoyed it so much that on return to Powell River his dad checked it out and discovered that there were four pits down by Willingdon Beach. There was even a Seafair horseshoe tournament.

Then in 1984, the Complex had some land available if the Horseshoe Club was willing to clear the blackberries and build the horseshoe pits.

Jim remembers mixing and pouring a lot of cement. The municipality donated the sidewalk forms, the mill donated the fencing and with a lot of sweat and a grant of $7,950 from New Horizon Branch of the National Health and Welfare department, a playing area with 12 pits was built.

SOME OF THE CREW: The Powell River Horseshoe Club – always looking for new members – poses beside the pits at the Rec Complex. Everyone is welcome.

Paige Nahornoff says when she and her husband Andrew Harrington lived in Vancouver, they would see people playing horseshoes and always thought about it. When, as young adults, work relocated them to Powell River, they saw an ad in the paper, and called up Lorraine Hubick who gave them such a warm welcome they immediately joined the club. It has been great fun but unfortunately work is again relocating them and they hope to find a horseshoe club on Vancouver Island.

Serge Dube says he also started playing as a young adult but in Victoria. When he moved to Powell River he walked by the Complex, saw the horseshoe pits and joined the club. For him it is the socializing and tournaments. In tournaments you are placed into groups with players of similar handicaps. Because of that you generally meet the same players and start developing great out of town friends.

Carol Skrodolis says she ran the concession inside the Complex for the horseshoe club. One night they were short a player and asked her if she would play. She was 57 at the time. Carol loved playing so much the next year she quit the concession, joined the club, built a pit in her backyard and reached out to club members for tips on techniques.

Practice paid off as she starting winning in and out of town tournaments, winning Vancouver Island Ladies “A” division six times between 2009 and 2018. Carol also won BC Championships in the Ladies “A” Division in 2013. She said she plays for the fun and laughs but truly loves challenging herself.

AFFORDABLE AND AVAILABLE: The Powell River Recreation Complex has been home to this region’s horseshoe pits since 1984.

Carol is our club president and is looking forward to seeing new faces this year. She says Sunday dropin is a fun day where everyone is welcome to come and give it a try. Thursday evenings is the organized team league.

Dave Antle says when he retired he was looking for something to do and as he knew some horseshoe players he thought he would try it and found it was exactly what he wanted. He enjoys the league games but also looks forward to tournaments and being challenged.

I was walking with my friend Margie Woloschuk who told me about what fun she and her husband Glen have playing horseshoes.

Sunday morning was not an option but Thursday evening worked so l said why not give it a try. Upon arrival someone presented me with some horseshoes, Betty Blacklock arranged the play, Serge gave me some basic instructions and the rest is history. Now on Thursday evenings l can be found walking to the Complex with a backpack containing a set of horseshoes and a water bottle.

Do not think you will find a more affordable sport to play. I started playing at the age of 59, and several years later I am still "perfecting my game" so to speak.

Horseshoes, anyone?

If you would like to try out the sport, the horseshoe pits are located at the upper level of the Complex and are open to the public.

Starting in April there will be Sunday morning drop-in at 9 am. Young children are welcome, but must be accompanied by an adult. Starting in May we play Thursday evenings at 6:30 .

This game is one that can be started at a young age and played well into the golden years. You do not need to know how to throw horseshoes before you join, and you do not need to go into tournaments. The only requirements are to laugh and have fun.

Contact Carol for more: 604 413 0823.