With only two gymnasiums for local students to use for physical education classes teachers have to be creative. Luckily Innisfail Horseshoe Club president Myrna Kissick offered to bestow the knowledge of her game on the younger generation.
“This is entirely new for them,” Kissick said. “You know, there could be some good horseshoe pitchers in this group.”
From Sept. 12-17 students from grades 10-12 had a chance to learn the ups and downs of tossing the u-shaped metal objects. The lessons included two mini-tournaments.
“It's frustrating sometimes,” said Klay Munro, 16, adding he had managed one ringer so far though he had hit the pole eight times. “You get so close and then it bounces off.”
Their teacher, Lorraine Uloth, said this is only the second semester they have included horseshoes in their course activities.
“Kids are interested in different sports,” Uloth said. “It's a relaxing kind of game to play outside.”
Having members of the horseshoe club take the lead on teaching the sport saved her a lot of Internet research, she said. They also provided the shoes.
“It's teaching them concentration and aiming skills,” she said.
For some of the students the game play surprised them.
“At first I didn't think I was going to enjoy it,” said 16-year-old Shane Van Zandt. “I guess you could say there's more skill involved than first impressions would lead you to believe.”
Sarah McGee, 16, found that her bowling technique translated quite nicely to pitching horseshoes.
“It's a similar motion,” she said. “If I was playing against my friends I'd be pretty competitive.”
