'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
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.