BOWLING ON CARPET BRITISH PASTIME INTRODUCED TO SIMI VALLEY SENIORS AS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY HEALTHFUL.

Byline: ERIC LEACH

Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEY - Everyone knows about regular bowling, in which you throw a ball down a lane at 10 pins. And lawn bowling, where you do something similar, but outside on grass.

But indoor lawn bowling?

Popular for decades in far-flung places such as the British Isles, Australia and New Zealand -- and even on North Sea oil rigs -- the indoor offshoot of its kegling brethren could become the hot new game for Simi Valley seniors.

Few people in Southern California have even heard of it, but seniors and officials from the city and park district are thinking about adding it to the activities available at the Simi Valley Senior Center, and maybe to the center's annual Senior Olympics.

"The more active you are, the more healthy you are. We like to explore new options," said Laurie Dickinson, the city's senior services manager, who helped set up a demonstration of the sport at the Senior Center earlier this month. "We have a lot of programming here aimed at keeping our seniors involved physically and mentally. A sport like this, when you have to think and use coordination, is wonderful. We want to see what it's all about."

In indoor lawn bowling, also known as carpet bowling, the balls don't knock down pins as in the alleys familiar to bowling Americans. They curve around obstacles, including other balls, before they stop -- hopefully as close as possible to a white or yellow ball called a jack.

For the Senior Center, it would cost about $1,600 to purchase a bowling set and special carpet bowling mat that can be rolled up when not in use.

Nancy Haley, 58, said she discovered the sport last year on a trip to Northern Ireland when a family at a bed and breakfast invited her to try it.

"It was hilarious," said Haley, explaining how the balls are formed so they naturally curve as they slow down.

She saw bowlers from ages 9 to 70, including a woman who had fused vertebrae in her neck. This made her realize it was something Simi Valley seniors and disabled people could do comfortably indoors.

"It's easier for disabled people because it's climate-controlled, you are on a carpet and you don't have to worry about tripping and falling," Haley said. "The bowlers can stand up or sit down."

About 60 people attended a May 17 demonstration at the local Senior Center.

"I liked it a lot," said Viola Cline of Simi Valley, who would not give her age. "I think it's a great game, especially here in Simi Valley. We can play this year round in the winter or summer or on windy days."

Sue McElvogue, a recreation coordinator for the Rancho Simi Recreation and Park District, said it looks like a good sport for people with limited mobility.

"They seem very interested," she said of the seniors. "I think they love it. It would be exciting if we could get this going here."

Harry Godbehere, 73, of Simi Valley was born in England and did outdoor lawn bowling before he moved to the United States in 1954. He enjoyed the indoor sport at the recent demonstration but doubted it would ever catch on here as it has in the British Isles.

Brian Studwell, a representative of a lawn bowling equipment company, offered the demonstration in Simi Valley and said the activity is almost unheard of here, though thousands of people play in Europe.

"But if Simi made the decision to go ahead with this, other cities might follow," he said.

The size of the six-foot-wide mats that are from 30 feet to 45 feet long make it possible to move the game from one building to another so it can be played in community centers and schools.

In the smaller Northern Irish villages, nearly everyone shows up on bowling night, Haley said.

"It's a community bonding thing," she said. "It's a fun sport because you don't know where the ball is going until you learn how to do it."

Outdoor lawn bowling has been played by millions of people around the world since at least the 13th century. Famous players include Sir Francis Drake, George Washington and Walt Disney.

Ed Mandler of Cambria, a member of the Southwest Division of the United States Lawnbowl Association, with about 30 clubs from Cambria to San Diego, said it is likely there will be more interest in outdoor lawn bowling in the United States as the population ages, but that carpet bowling remains virtually unknown.

"As far as I'm aware, there is little or no indoor lawn bowling in Southern California," he said. "Just because it is popular in the British Isles doesn't mean it's going to be popular here."

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3 photos

Photo: (1 -- color) Harry Godbehere tries indoor lawn bowling during a demonstration Thursday at the Simi Valley Senior Center, which may offer the activity to clients.

(2 -- color) Seniors learn the proper method of holding a carpet bowling ball during a demonstration Thursday.

(3) Seniors study the carpet bowling mat during Thursday's demonstration. Unlike traditional bowling, carpet bowling involves sending the ball around obstacles, rather than knocking down pins.

Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer