Cerritos Seniors Set to Bring Their 'Game Face' to Wii Bowling Championship in Westwood

A group of tech savvy and spirited competitors from the  senior housing facility will be putting their bowling skills to the test this Thursday as they participate in the National Senior League Wii Bowling State Championship in Westwood.

"I spend most of my time motivating this team of old-timers to get fired up, win one for Vintage and be the best senior Wii Bowling team in California," said team captain Bill Burd, a 95-year-old Vintage Cerritos resident who often bowls a 300. 

The April 26 California State Championship round, organized by the National Senior League (NSL) and hosted by Vintage Senior Living, will see the Vintage Cerritos Falcons face off against the South Bay Blasters from the Front Porch Community in San Diego. The teams will be competing via Skype, demonstrating a new technology to many of the senior residents and supporting lifelong learning throughout the senior communities, according to organizers. 

While today's youngsters revel in the ever popular electronic gaming world, these seniors are having a blast in front of the big screen -- reliving the glory days of the neighborhood bowling alley in the comfort of their own surroundings. 

"The name of the game is concentration so I do what I can to keep the room quiet while the bowlers focus on getting a strike," Burd added. 

From a health standpoint, this modern day form of exercise helps keep these seniors moving while also encouraging them to step out of their comfort zone and try something new. The game has even inspired the forming of teams from retirement communities across the country.

This year, Vintage Senior Living had 11 teams participating in western regional tournaments in California and Washington, according to event organizers. 

The NSL California State Championship event will be held at Vintage Westwood Horizons, 947 Tiverton Avenue, in Los Angeles. The event begins at 11 a.m. and ends with an awards ceremony at 3 p.m.