We're already through the first week and I already feel so unorganized, but once I finally get the time to do it, I'm too tired or just don't want to. Oops. I really could have used a long weekend. At least it's only 8:30 then I guess. Though we may be playing a game later.. I'm hoping..
At any rate, I'm trying to get the views up on my new blog! Check it out!
Sunday, September 9, 2012
Saturday, September 8, 2012
First Week of League
I had been looking forward to this day for awhile! To get back to bowling every week, to seeing everyone. To get working on my game with a coach again.
No coaches today, since it IS the first day back; and I'm glad, because it made me think & feel which is always better than always depending on a coach. I felt that despite my scores, it was a good day of bowling. 173, 184, 163 & 191 is alright, if I didn't have that 163 I would have been happier, because I would have been trending more upwards. But that game was obviously a transition game that I didn't handle too well. The last game I finally made the right move and it worked pretty good.
By then I had to move a crap ton left (feet and mark) because the lanes were drying up so much. So because of that, I needed more hand. Aka getting around the ball better/more and using a lot more fingers. And I did! I was actually pretty impressed with myself; especially for doing it quite consistently in the last game. I found it in the second game but struggled to keep it up, so it was nice to get it going near the end.
One thing about going into this season, I'm kind of worried for the future of our sport in Alberta. There's at least 7 of us graduating from the youth program, and after that there's really not much talent left. There's a few really good boys left, but really no girls.. it's really unfortunate. Just 4 or 5 years ago, Alberta had so many youth bowlers, and all of them really good and always taking a handful of medals at Nationals. After this year, chances might be slim, with the exception of a few boys..
No coaches today, since it IS the first day back; and I'm glad, because it made me think & feel which is always better than always depending on a coach. I felt that despite my scores, it was a good day of bowling. 173, 184, 163 & 191 is alright, if I didn't have that 163 I would have been happier, because I would have been trending more upwards. But that game was obviously a transition game that I didn't handle too well. The last game I finally made the right move and it worked pretty good.
By then I had to move a crap ton left (feet and mark) because the lanes were drying up so much. So because of that, I needed more hand. Aka getting around the ball better/more and using a lot more fingers. And I did! I was actually pretty impressed with myself; especially for doing it quite consistently in the last game. I found it in the second game but struggled to keep it up, so it was nice to get it going near the end.
One thing about going into this season, I'm kind of worried for the future of our sport in Alberta. There's at least 7 of us graduating from the youth program, and after that there's really not much talent left. There's a few really good boys left, but really no girls.. it's really unfortunate. Just 4 or 5 years ago, Alberta had so many youth bowlers, and all of them really good and always taking a handful of medals at Nationals. After this year, chances might be slim, with the exception of a few boys..
Saturday, August 25, 2012
Discrepancies Across The Board
After watching performances of our Canadian talent at the PABCON championships in Vegas this past week, this issue is brought to mind with even more fervor than usual.
Everybody that has success in Canada at bowling, as in they are recognized world wide and are always up for medal contention, has something in common - the east coast. With 2 exceptions that I know of from BC and Alberta (Alberta because they were groomed at school in the states). None from Saskatchewan, a few from Manitoba but all from Ontario and Quebec. It's incredible really, the kind of bowlers they produce out there. I am very doubtful that anyone can say it's because of the population, there's a better chance of cultivating better athletes from a wider range of population.
No, the reason is opportunity. They have the Buffa studio in Montreal, which is where Canadian team training takes place, and they also offer private lessons, aided by computer programs, and of course the best coaches in the country. They are also close to the states, very well known for their success at the sport, so bowlers in that area of the country have many opportunities to experience many and different tournaments, starting at a young age.
For example, Junior Gold. You need to qualify in a qualifier first, but being an American tournament most of the qualifiers are held south of our borders, and it's easier (closer) for those in the East to get there.
I have no idea why this kind of transparency exists. Is it because there is more money out there? Is it because that's where the roots of canadian bowling started and it just stayed there and attracted the best and it just grew from there? I honestly don't know why we don't have more opportunities here. I know are numbers ARE indeed smaller, but we definitely have the talent. I suppose at least we do have elite coaching. We have two regular Team Canada coaches in Calgary, both of which have helped me in the past, and I know always will. And luckily we have an awesome pro shop guy in Edmonton who moved from Montreal, and who is also one of Canada's better bowlers - not as highly touted but has made Team Canada before and regularly participates in American tournaments.
I know quite a handful of kids in the East also going to school in the States, on scholarship, bowling on their school bowling teams. They will be the next big Canadian stars. This again, is because they are in the East. They are close to those good schools that it's more feasible. Out here in Alberta, I doubt it's the same (though I have not thoroughly researched this), which is why there have only been 2 girls who have gone to the US and have repeatedly made the Canadian team.
So it's days like this where I see a fellow Canadian winning gold with a perfect game, and wish that I could have the chance to someday get there. But I don't. I have to face that fact. Yes, I can be the tops in my province, but I'll never be able to call myself an elite bowler, I'll never have enough knowledge of strategy, equipment, lane conditions, etc no make it. If I lived out East I would have had a chance. Even moving to Edmonton gave me a better chance, it should have been sooner to maximize my growth, but I suppose I'll take what I can get.
In the end, it won't matter. I'll just be glad to be participating in a sport I love so much, and hopefully I'll be cheering on Canadians for the rest of my life. Maybe if I keep bowling as long as possible I'll have a chance on a senior team...? Ha I doubt it, my body will fall apart in 20 years.. But I can always dream, right??
Anyway, here's the video of George Lambert IV throwing his SECOND 300 of the tournament, on a SECOND pattern. He does it for Master's Gold, but more importantly he does it for his country.
Everybody that has success in Canada at bowling, as in they are recognized world wide and are always up for medal contention, has something in common - the east coast. With 2 exceptions that I know of from BC and Alberta (Alberta because they were groomed at school in the states). None from Saskatchewan, a few from Manitoba but all from Ontario and Quebec. It's incredible really, the kind of bowlers they produce out there. I am very doubtful that anyone can say it's because of the population, there's a better chance of cultivating better athletes from a wider range of population.
No, the reason is opportunity. They have the Buffa studio in Montreal, which is where Canadian team training takes place, and they also offer private lessons, aided by computer programs, and of course the best coaches in the country. They are also close to the states, very well known for their success at the sport, so bowlers in that area of the country have many opportunities to experience many and different tournaments, starting at a young age.
For example, Junior Gold. You need to qualify in a qualifier first, but being an American tournament most of the qualifiers are held south of our borders, and it's easier (closer) for those in the East to get there.
I have no idea why this kind of transparency exists. Is it because there is more money out there? Is it because that's where the roots of canadian bowling started and it just stayed there and attracted the best and it just grew from there? I honestly don't know why we don't have more opportunities here. I know are numbers ARE indeed smaller, but we definitely have the talent. I suppose at least we do have elite coaching. We have two regular Team Canada coaches in Calgary, both of which have helped me in the past, and I know always will. And luckily we have an awesome pro shop guy in Edmonton who moved from Montreal, and who is also one of Canada's better bowlers - not as highly touted but has made Team Canada before and regularly participates in American tournaments.
I know quite a handful of kids in the East also going to school in the States, on scholarship, bowling on their school bowling teams. They will be the next big Canadian stars. This again, is because they are in the East. They are close to those good schools that it's more feasible. Out here in Alberta, I doubt it's the same (though I have not thoroughly researched this), which is why there have only been 2 girls who have gone to the US and have repeatedly made the Canadian team.
So it's days like this where I see a fellow Canadian winning gold with a perfect game, and wish that I could have the chance to someday get there. But I don't. I have to face that fact. Yes, I can be the tops in my province, but I'll never be able to call myself an elite bowler, I'll never have enough knowledge of strategy, equipment, lane conditions, etc no make it. If I lived out East I would have had a chance. Even moving to Edmonton gave me a better chance, it should have been sooner to maximize my growth, but I suppose I'll take what I can get.
In the end, it won't matter. I'll just be glad to be participating in a sport I love so much, and hopefully I'll be cheering on Canadians for the rest of my life. Maybe if I keep bowling as long as possible I'll have a chance on a senior team...? Ha I doubt it, my body will fall apart in 20 years.. But I can always dream, right??
Anyway, here's the video of George Lambert IV throwing his SECOND 300 of the tournament, on a SECOND pattern. He does it for Master's Gold, but more importantly he does it for his country.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Final Thoughts
All in all the trip was kind of a bust. I didn't bowl nearly as well as I wanted to, averaging below 170. Because of this I didn't enjoy myself as much as I should have. But what can you do. We still partied hard and got to know some more people. Aka the people I knew by name but never spoke to now knew my name and I didn't seem like such a creeper.
Last night, after the final day of bowling for the ones who didn't make the cut, partied HARD. I woke up this morning with my legs covered in bruises and a massive headache. Who knows how much I actually drank; there was a tub full of beer though and there were about 3 left over this morning. I definitely slept until 11:30, did timmies for breaky and then just sat out in the courtyard in the gazebo for 3+ hours. I got good and tan, even burnt my thigh.
Then we headed to the banquet, decent food and lots of talking. Next year (if I go) I'm so not doing that again. It's a bunch of clapping, standing ovations for the inductees to the hall of fame, more clapping and nearly falling asleep.
We then headed back to the hotel, sat around chatting for an hour or two and then headed over to the 'toba boys' room to drink some more. Only a tall can of beer, can of rockstar & half a cooler. At the moment it's 3:40 and we head out to the hotel at 7am so there's no point in sleeping. I would love to, but I know I'd end up worse for wear if I were to sleep for just a few hours. Carla passed out, wouldn't keep her eyes open.
So we fly into Calgary about 12, layover and then land in Edmonton at about 12:45. Hopefully next year I can qualify the first time around, and book better flights. Fingers crossed. If only I had made CTF nationals.. because a good chunk of the people here will be there. Next year, next year!
So the plan now..? Most likely take a break for at LEAST a month. More so because I won't necessarily have the money to go out there week after week. I'm probably going to go there Wednesday to drop off my stuff, pay the proshop and talk to Ted about our plan of action. Figure out what I can work on during the summer. He won't be around though, and probably not Dan until about August.
While I'm disappointed at my performance, I still learnt new things, which is the next best thing I suppose.
Next year!
Last night, after the final day of bowling for the ones who didn't make the cut, partied HARD. I woke up this morning with my legs covered in bruises and a massive headache. Who knows how much I actually drank; there was a tub full of beer though and there were about 3 left over this morning. I definitely slept until 11:30, did timmies for breaky and then just sat out in the courtyard in the gazebo for 3+ hours. I got good and tan, even burnt my thigh.
Then we headed to the banquet, decent food and lots of talking. Next year (if I go) I'm so not doing that again. It's a bunch of clapping, standing ovations for the inductees to the hall of fame, more clapping and nearly falling asleep.
We then headed back to the hotel, sat around chatting for an hour or two and then headed over to the 'toba boys' room to drink some more. Only a tall can of beer, can of rockstar & half a cooler. At the moment it's 3:40 and we head out to the hotel at 7am so there's no point in sleeping. I would love to, but I know I'd end up worse for wear if I were to sleep for just a few hours. Carla passed out, wouldn't keep her eyes open.
So we fly into Calgary about 12, layover and then land in Edmonton at about 12:45. Hopefully next year I can qualify the first time around, and book better flights. Fingers crossed. If only I had made CTF nationals.. because a good chunk of the people here will be there. Next year, next year!
So the plan now..? Most likely take a break for at LEAST a month. More so because I won't necessarily have the money to go out there week after week. I'm probably going to go there Wednesday to drop off my stuff, pay the proshop and talk to Ted about our plan of action. Figure out what I can work on during the summer. He won't be around though, and probably not Dan until about August.
While I'm disappointed at my performance, I still learnt new things, which is the next best thing I suppose.
Next year!
Day 2
This day on medium went much much better. I think I just needed to get day 1 out of the way, get some nerves out of the way. I just threw the ball and it was fine! I started off with a bang of 226 (FINALLY A CLEAN GAME!!) and then dipped down a bit but I pulled the day together pretty good to average 184. I threw maybe 3 bad balls so I can't complain on the day. Everyone else struggled like crazy though! So I ended up jumping 10 spots into a tie for 38th. I was shooting down 5 and then ended up moving to 10 and then 12. Nothing much else to say about the day besides wishing I didn't have that 153 game and maybe the two 170s.
Scores:
226 153 172 192 180 178 (1101)
2026 & 38th overall
Scores:
226 153 172 192 180 178 (1101)
2026 & 38th overall
Monday, May 21, 2012
Day 3
This was the final day of bowling. After jumping 10 spots the last day I wanted to aim to jump another 10. I think it was a mistake to set a bar because I really struggled; very similar to the first day, pulling it a lot. This time I reacted quickly and Stephen, one of the coaches actually helped and got me to use a different line, swinging in from the 10, instead of 5. It worked great for the 2nd game but then I struggled again. The carry down was tough to deal with; not being used to dealing with much of it I didn't know what to do. So I went through the thought process of, well what is my ball doing? It wasn't coming in so I knew it was carry down that was messing me up. So how to get it in? Well there's the standard move but I tried that and didn't like the line I had, I wasn't comfortable there. So I asked myself what else could I do? Then I remembered by abralon pad (like sand paper for bowling balls) to make it duller so it'll hook more. It worked perfect and so I dulled it down a bit after every game. If not for the 1st & 3rd games I would have been pretty happy with my day. Long was supposed to be my best because we had been practicing on it for about a month but at Gateway it was a lot slicker.
Scores:
144 196 129 181 197 173 (1020)
3046 & 41st overall
Scores:
144 196 129 181 197 173 (1020)
3046 & 41st overall
Sunday, May 20, 2012
Day 1
Day 1 was Friday, on short oil. Going into it I wasn't feeling prepared; I hadn't had time to practice on it at all. The shot at Gateway was more of a medium pattern so that wasn't going to help.
The first 3 or 4 games I was pulling it way too much. I knew it too. It took myself way too long to ask myself, "Ok. What are some possible reasons for tugging it?". So far I had only been trying to stay behind the ball. I then realized that I had been popping up at the end, so I needed to stay down. Once I figured that out, I had a few good balls. But by then I don't know if the problem was that it had broken down too much and I had too little a margin of error, that I was pre-turning or if it was a combination of both. All in all I just was not in the right "zone" to bowl. Dallas and Max ended up helping me out in the 5th game which helped a bit, even though it wasn't that great a game. I think the problem as well was that I was using the wrong line, I think I was shooting 5 for most of it. For next year I definitely need to figure that one out ahead of time.
Scores:
160 115 179 144 156 171 (925) & 48th place
The first 3 or 4 games I was pulling it way too much. I knew it too. It took myself way too long to ask myself, "Ok. What are some possible reasons for tugging it?". So far I had only been trying to stay behind the ball. I then realized that I had been popping up at the end, so I needed to stay down. Once I figured that out, I had a few good balls. But by then I don't know if the problem was that it had broken down too much and I had too little a margin of error, that I was pre-turning or if it was a combination of both. All in all I just was not in the right "zone" to bowl. Dallas and Max ended up helping me out in the 5th game which helped a bit, even though it wasn't that great a game. I think the problem as well was that I was using the wrong line, I think I was shooting 5 for most of it. For next year I definitely need to figure that one out ahead of time.
Scores:
160 115 179 144 156 171 (925) & 48th place
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