Years before, Ernest Ernst had been part of a floor curling team that won gold at the Alberta 55-Plus Winter Games, which enabled them to compete nationally.
This year, however, marked the first time he was able to enter horseshoes — a sport he enjoys quite a bit, but was never able to qualify for.
“I enjoy horseshoes all the time. I’ve tried before, but I’ve never gotten into (the Games) for horseshoes,” he said.
Ernst, who hails from Westlock was among the estimated 1,100 registered participants at the Alberta 55-Plus Summer Games this weekend, participating in the 70-plus men’s category.
Although it was a bit lonely — he was the only competitor in his category and thus won the gold easily — Ernst said he had a really good time at this year’s Games.
“There’s lot of good participants. I myself have met many out-of-towners that I enjoyed talking to,” he said, noting he helped take care of the horseshoe pits after he was done throwing.
Ernst’s comments were reflective of what many competitors were saying as the 55-Plus Games ran from Thursday to Sunday.
Rita McCaw of Barrhead was a big success story for the Zone 5 team at the Games, netting four gold medals in four different events during the swimming competition held at the Westlock Aquatic Centre.
McCaw was also notable amongst the competitors for having her own cheering section of supporters shouting encouragement from the side of the pool.
This was McCaw’s first time at the Games and she said she found the experience to “fabulous,” commenting on how well-organized the Games were and how happy she found her fellow competitors to be.
“This is experience I would recommend to anyone,” she said.
Much of the same could be said for the out-of-towners, such as Zone 1 athlete George Berg.
Berg attended the Games with his wife Ingrid from Lethbridge, and both entered the swimming competition.
Berg has attended past iterations of the 55-Plus Games — for instance, he competed in alpine skiing during the 55-Plus Winter Games in Calgary earlier this year. He was much more successful at Westlock, however, netting four medals in various swimming events.
“I’m a better swimmer than I am a skier,” he noted with a laugh.
Berg indicated he quite enjoyed the visit to Westlock, adding that “there’s great hospitality here.”
“We’re having a wonderful time,” he said. “The food’s good, the people are great and the venues are great.”
He noted there was also a committee out from Lethbridge watching how things went in order to gain some pointers for when they host the 2015 55-Plus Winter Games.
As to why he and his wife entered, Berg — like many competitors — said he was trying to stay physically fit.
“I need a goal to work towards,” he said, noting he was planning to go on to the Canada 55-Plus Summer Games in Strathcona County in August of 2014.
Another reason for many competitors to enter was fellowship — the Games are literally the only venue for many old friends to get together.
Eleanor MacIntosh, who hails from Edmonton, played on the Zone 6 floor curling team. Eleanor said she has entered a number of Games before with her husband Leroy; she played in the 55-Plus Summer Games in Fairview back in 2011.
“It rained the whole time. They did such a wonderful job and the rain just wouldn’t stop.”
As of Friday morning, Eleanor said she was still trying to track down some old friends from Wetaskiwin, Airdrie and other communities that she had met at previous Games.
“We enjoy meeting new people and meeting old friends that we’ve played against before,” she said.
As for the floor curling, Eleanor indicated the competition was fairly close, and while she wasn’t throwing in the towel, she wasn’t worried overly about getting a medal.
“Nobody’s a diehard,” she said. “It’s all in fun. It’s good to be in the Games and to come and meet people … and stay in shape.”
