'Get the exercise and get moving': 98-year-old Sask. veteran credits health to biweekly curling
A 98-year-old Saskatchewan veteran who served during the Second World War continues to keep himself in shape by curling twice a week at a Regina club.
Osborne Lakness, known to his friends as Ossie, has been curling since he was 16 years old, after starting his career in his hometown of Govan, Sask.
“What are you going to do if you quit sports? Watch it on TV? Yeah, but it’s not the same,” Lakness said.
He has been curling for more than 80 years, with just a three-year break from the game when he went overseas to serve in the Navy during the Second World War.
“I was on a frigate in the North Atlantic, convoy duty,” Lakness said. “I made seven trips across.”
After he returned home, he picked up right where he left off. Now nearing the century mark, he said the sport keeps him moving.
“Well I have good health,” Lakness said. “To get the exercise and get moving, it helps. If you were just to sit and sit all the time, that’s kind of boring.”
Aside from the physical benefits, Lakness also enjoys the social aspect of the game, with many matches followed by time to reminisce with a cold beer.
“I can remember the old Tartan Club… there used to be about 12 [of us], would always come up for a beer after they finished their game,” Lakness said. “Every Saturday night, we’d have a band in and we’d dance, way back then it was a little different than it is now.”
“We like to socialize, that’s a big part of this league,” Ray Finlay, a member of the Queen City Seniors Curling Club, said. “Ossie and I like to have a beer and reminisce a little about some of the good old days.”
Finlay has been curling with Lakness since 1985, after meeting him through the seniors’ league at the Tartan Curling Club.
“I’ve known him since then and curled a lot of games against him, and lost a lot of games,” Finlay said.
With eight decades of curling experience under his belt, Finlay said Lakness’ strategy is his strength on the pebbled ice. But he also brings a positive attitude to the league.
“A lot of fun, he has a lot of experience and his personality, just never gets down on anything. Win or lose, we’re here to have fun and boy he’s the greatest guy at that,” Finlay said.
Not just involved on the ice, Lakness has been a key player in all levels of the sport in the province, including serving as a member of the Saskatchewan Curling Association executive for many years, and as the president of the organization for one.
He is also a co-founder of the Queen City Seniors Curling Club, which he continues to participate in at the Callie Curling Club.
Lakness spent the majority of his curling career as a skip, but stepped down this year to the role of third.
With files from CTV News Regina's Gareth Dillistone
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
How quietly promised law changes in the 2024 federal budget could impact your day-to-day life
The 2024 federal budget released last week includes numerous big spending promises that have garnered headlines. But, tucked into the 416-page document are also series of smaller items, such as promising to amend the law regarding infant formula and to force banks to label government rebates, that you may have missed.
Which foods have the most plastics? You may be surprised
'How much plastic will you have for dinner, sir? And you, ma'am?' While that may seem like a line from a satirical skit on Saturday Night Live, research is showing it's much too close to reality.
opinion I've been a criminal attorney for decades. Here's what I think about the case against Trump
Joey Jackson, a criminal defence attorney and a legal analyst for CNN, outlines what he thinks about the criminal case against Donald Trump in the 'hush money trial.'
$3.8M home in B.C.'s Okanagan has steel shell for extra wildfire protection
A home in B.C.'s Okanagan that features a weathering steel shell designed to provide some protection against wildfires has been listed for sale at $3.8 million.
Diver pinned under water by an alligator figured he had choice. Lose his arm or lose his life
An alligator attacked a diver on April 15 as he surfaced from his dive, nearly out of air. His tank emptied with the gator's jaws crushing the arm he put up in defence.
Psychologist becomes first person in Peru to die by euthanasia after fighting in court for years
A Peruvian psychologist who suffered from an incurable disease that weakened her muscles and had her confined to her bed for several years, died by euthanasia, her lawyer said Monday, becoming the first person in the country to obtain the right to die with medical assistance.
Mystery surrounds giant custom Canucks jerseys worn by Lions Gate Bridge statues
The giant stone statues guarding the Lions Gate Bridge have been dressed in custom Vancouver Canucks jerseys as the NHL playoffs get underway.
Celebrity designer sentenced to 18 months in prison for smuggling crocodile handbags
A leading fashion designer whose accessories were used by celebrities from Britney Spears to the cast of the 'Sex and the City' TV series was sentenced Monday to 18 months in prison after pleading guilty in Miami federal court on charges of smuggling crocodile handbags from her native Colombia.
Wildfire leads to evacuation order issued for northeast Alberta community
An evacuation order was issued on Monday afternoon for homes in the area of Cold Lake First Nation.