For the second year in a row, Neerlandia resident Alvin Nanninga has claimed the Canadian Horseshoe Championship title in the Elders class.
Nanninga got started on his 35-year horseshoe kick after buying a set of horseshoes at an auction in the late 70s. He has played in Nova Scotia, Quebec, Saskatchewan, and a couple times in the States as well since then.
This year, he played and won the Western Championships, Provincial Championships, and last but not least, the Canadian Championships held in Saskatoon.
“I did the same thing last year,” he said, smiling. “I won all three of them last year too.”
Having claimed all three titles for two consecutive years, Nanninga said he thinks the victory this time around was a little more special. Particularly the Canadian Championships.
“The competition wasn’t better, but everybody wants to beat you when you’re the top guy,” he laughed. “It seemed to be a little harder.”
Not only was the competition harder, it was hotter as well. The games were held in a curling arena, but the conditions were far from chilly. The championship fell during a heat wave, and Nanninga said the humidity affected everyone including himself.
“I had a couple days I was sick almost, it was that hot and humid in there,” he said. “It dropped everybody’s percentage to a certain extent.”
Despite the heat, Nanninga still managed to pull a 61 per cent average. It may not be the 70 per cent he had to show for his entry average, but it was enough to come out on top.
“I did have the best game of anybody in the tournament too,” he smiled. “I had one game at 79 per cent ringers.”
Being the best in any sport doesn’t come without practice. The horseshoe champion said he practices up to four times a week, though he wishes it could be more. Helping his son on the farm come the spring and fall and going south for the winter the past couple of years have cut into his practice time.
“If you want to be on top I think you have to do that, same as anything else,” he said. “I’d like to practice every day. I don’t get that done, but I’d like to.”
Although he has years of experience under his belt, Nanninga said it is a sport anyone can play. Anyone keen on getting a start in horseshoes just needs to participate in enough tournaments to acquire a ringer percentage and they’re golden.
Unfortunately the sport is becoming less popular each year. Nanninga said it seems horseshoes is an old person’s sport, and the younger generations, even those in their 30s and 40s, don’t want to get involved.
“When I first started there were lots of players,” he said. “But now they either can’t do it anymore, or they pass away, or whatever. It’s really dying.”
But, the sport continues on. The 2013 Canadian Championship tournament is already set, and will be held in Ontario. At the age 72, Nanninga has plans to play again.
“My health is good. I’ll probably be there,” he said. “I thank God for the strength he gave me to do it.”
