Winning at Wii

As he shuffled up to the TV screen, controller in hand, with the white band safely around his wrist, 84-year-old David Dong planted himself in front of the screen and adjusted the settings, before swinging back his left hand and letting the ball roll. “Strike,” the screen flashed, as an instant replay of all 10 pins falling over was shown.

Dong bowled strike after double strike after turkey as he competed with Huntington Beach’s Michael E. Rodgers Senior Center team in a Nintendo Wii bowling tournament Aug. 19. Dong is one of 25 members of the Surf City Strikers and the current record holder, having scored a 299 in a game of digital bowling.

The team is undefeated after its third tournament against Mission Viejo’s Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center. The team bowled a team average of 174.24 — a full 60 points more than its competitor.

Dong didn’t have the top score that day, but he walked away with the highest average of 218, after bowling a 223, 225 and 208. Although he didn’t break his record, the team did break its record, Dong said.

“All and all we beat our last average,” Dong said. “A ‘w’ is always good — a win.”

The tournament took each player’s average after three games to create the team average, Huntington Beach Recreation Coordinator Chris Cole said. The seniors play the game with four bowlers, two from each city, and switch up partners.

“That way people get to meet new people and play against different skill levels,” Cole said.

Although Dong missed out on bowling a perfect game in the tournament, he said he has bowled a 300 at home, where he practices for 30 minutes every other day. Dong said he bought his Wii after joining the team.

Playing for the Strikers isn’t Dong’s first experience bowling. He said he has been playing the game for 15 years, but a stroke forced him to change the way he plays.

“There is no strength in my right arm, so I had to switch to Wii bowling,” Dong said.

Since the stroke, Dong bowls left handed. Team member Ed Mazure is amazed Dong has been able to switch so successfully.

“It’s unbelievable. He’s never bowled with his left hand in his life,” Mazure said.

Despite being one of the best bowlers on the team, Dong said he has no trick.

“No secret. Just a fast swing,” Dong said. “And follow though and the right angle of entry.”

Dong said he is thinking about trying other Wii sports that offer more exercise, like tennis. Although boxing didn’t work out for Dong (it was too tricky with the two controllers), he said he has an entire disc of games he hasn’t even tried yet.

“I’m planning on shying away from bowling for a while and try[ing] another sport,” Dong said.

With Dong branching out to other sports, seniors at the center will soon be able to join him. Executive Director of Senior Services Randy Pesqueira said one of the reasons bowling is played is because the current center doesn’t afford the players enough room to play more active games like tennis.

With the City Council’s decision to move forward with the construction of the new senior center in Central Park, seniors will have more room to play. For now, the seniors have bowling practice from 9 to 11 a.m. Wednesdays at the senior center. The practice is open to any seniors who want to learn.