The 25th anniversary edition of the B.C. Seniors Games is still several calendar flips away. But, for prospective participants, April is an important month.
For anyone who wants to join the fun at the Games, April is registration time.
"If there are sufficient numbers in an event, that would mean there may be a zone playoff in May," said Dick Voneugen, one of the zone coordinators for the Games, Aug. 21-25 in Burnaby. "By the time the first of June comes about, everything is pretty well cast in stone."
The lower age limit for the B.C. Seniors Games is 55. The upper age limit? Well, last year, 92-year-old Olga Kotelko of Vancouver competed in track and field.
"She's a fantastic example of how agile you can still be in getting older," Voneugen said. "She looks like a spry 70-year-old. You should see her sprint the 100 metres -- just unbelievable."
Voneugen said getting the younger crowd involved in the Games can sometimes be difficult. He encourages those sitting on the fence to hop down and get active.
"Come out and see the level of performance," he said. "The word 'senior' may not quite ring a bell with you but if you see some of the performances you will quickly have to take that back.
"You see both sides of the coin -- people that are hesitant, and others that can hardly wait," he added. "And the thing is, most people that get started stay with it. It's such an enjoyable event."
The B.C. Seniors Games offers archery, badminton, bocce, bridge, carpet bowling, cribbage, cycling, darts, dragon boat racing, five-pin bowling, floor curling, golf, horseshoe pitching, ice curling, ice hockey, lawn bowling, one-act plays, pickleball, slo-pitch, snooker, soccer, swimming, table tennis, tennis, track and field and whist.
The first B.C. Seniors Games was held in Vernon in 1988 and attracted about 800 participants. This year, close to 3,500 people are expected to attend.
Prince George hosted the Games in 2002 and 2008.
For registration information, contact Voneugen at 250-962-7672 or visit the Games website at www.bcseniorsgames.org.
