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JBSA News
NEWS | Aug. 5, 2011

Adult camp offers bowlers lessons on fine-tuning mechanics

By Jose T. Garza III 502nd Air Base Wing OL-A Public Affairs

Some of Steven Blake's students take bowling classes because they don't get to play too often, to fine tune their skills, or because being married leaves very little free time to bowl.

Eleven aspiring bowlers, ages 18 and up, are participating in Blake's inaugural Adult Summer Bowling Camp, which has been running since June 6 and will conclude Aug. 22, every Monday night from 7-9 p.m. at the Skylark Bowling Center.

The camp fee is $9 per week for 10 weeks. Shoes are free, and at the end of the course, they get a bowling ball of their choice: a bouncing ball for bowlers who bowl straight or a reactive cover ball for those who hook the ball.

Camp has been a success for all participants, according to Blake.

"They are all having fun, which is the main thing ... to teach them how to have fun and learn at the same time," Blake said.

Having various students with various skills can be a challenge for the certified, first-year instructor.

"I have to modify my training techniques to the student," he said.

Before the camp started, Blake got his instructor certification through the U.S. Bowling Congress.

His instruction is useful for seldom bowlers like Erica Redford, who admits she has "no game."

"This has been something to get me accustomed to the game, to teach me to bowl," she said and also joked, "start my bowling career."

Before taking classes, she had bowled once or twice. The end result - letting the ball fall behind her.

No one was hurt during that experience, and while those around her quipped that it should have been the end of her bowling aspirations, she is back to learning the basics.

"I'm learning what size ball I need and proper mechanics, just going out there and flinging" Redford said. "I'm trying to make (the ball) do what I want."

Then there's Mike Merchant, who was an avid bowler before getting married 13 years ago.
"Since then, my average has gone down quite a bit for lack of bowling," he said. "(Camp) has helped me get my average back up to 172 or 175."

Returning to bowling has guided Merchant back to his purpose, which is to play against good competition and relieve stress.

"Give me something fun to do," he said.

While having fun bowling, he's learned to fine-tune his bowling mechanics.

"Class has helped me straighten out my grip, stance, and approach," Merchant said. "I'm learning to hit my marks and throw the ball where I want to hit it instead of just somewhere down the lane."

Blake tries to assure his players that they can improve with positive encouragement.

"You don't want to be negative because if you're negative, then they're gonna lose interest in class," he said, "So, you say 'Ok, you did this wrong but this you did fairly well.'"

His encouragement has paid off with positive feedback from his students.

Redford said she would sign her kids up for bowling camp if they offered it, and Merchant would advise any one, from beginners to those who want to sharpen up their mechanics, to participate in future adult summer camps.

"Sign up, come on out, have a good time, get a free ball, and get a little bit of instruction," he said.