A lack of cash prizes in no way slowed down any of the seniors who took part in the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society Fit for Life Seniors Week event on Tuesday.
Around 60 people come out for event at the Maple Ridge Seniors Activity Centre that featured a host of wacky games where seniors competed for points and those with the most were awarded medals at the end of the day.
The room was “absolutely buzzing,” said Maria Perretta, executive director of the seniors society, adding the games were more competitive this year than any year she could remember.
“People were lining up to retry stations just to beat their own time,” Perretta noted.
Eight staff and six volunteers were running each activity.
Vicki Laleune, 70 was at the event for the first time.
“I came here to have fun, and it’s really going great,” she said.
Laleune was participating in a beach ball volleyball game with Betty Moran, 66.
Moran noted she loves the event because there are so many people who attend, and the games are fun.
“It brings everyone together,” she said.
Kent Gallie, 65, just joined the centre in January and he was having a blast.
“It’s been so much fun. It’s just a riot,” he said.
Gallie enjoyed the axe throwing game and also a game where you tried to toss flip-flops through a hanging toilet seats.
He added that the staff at the centre are fantastic. They go above and beyond to make everyone feel welcome, he said, they are always cheerful and, he noted, the instructors are excellent.
Sarah Gibson, 70, was also at the event for the first time.
“It’s fantastic,” she said. “We’re having so much fun.”
“We all have fun and we encourage each other. And you know what? Being fit is the most important part at this time of our life. And, whatever you’ve got you want to hold on to,” she added.
The cheering was nonstop at the event, said Perretta.
“Folks were encouraging each other, hyping each other up, and convincing hesitant participants to just give it a try, you might shock yourself,” she added.
This year the games were given a beach team.
Perretta’s favourite game was the beer pong, where each participant took a shot of beer before their first throw.
“I’m pretty sure it improved their aim. Or at least their confidence. Hard to say which,” joked Perretta.
For more information about the Ridge Meadows Seniors Society, which operates the Maple Ridge Seniors Activity Centre and the Pitt Meadows Seniors Activity Centre, go to: https://rmssseniors.org/.