Bowling with heart
NORTHCLIFF - Heart transplant patient, Patsy Sim, is bowling her way to the world championships.
Patsy Sim (68) is a resident of Vanderbijlpark and a heart transplant patient. However, this does not stop her in her attempt to qualify for the World Transplant Championships in Spain next year.
Sim’s chosen sport is Tenpin Bowling. She trains with her husband, Errol, and is coached by Vaughn Williams, the president of the Tenpin Bowling Association of South Africa, at the Northcliff Bowl in Northcliff Corner Shopping Centre. Although it is a long way to travel, Sim said Williams has helped her tremendously, as she was bowling with two hands when she first started and now she is able to bowl strikes with one hand and hit spares.
Sim’s aim to compete in next year’s championship means she needs to qualify by her participation in the National Transplant Games which will be held at Northcliff Bowl in October. She aims to receive a bronze medal but Williams is more confident in her abilities.
Sim can not be coached the same way as other bowlers due to her heart. She needs to take regular breaks and stay hydrated. Williams said, “I am only coaching Patsy at the moment to base a manual and structure classes around transplant players. When she is at bronze level, then we will start having open classes and Patsy can even help me coach transplant players.”
According to Sim, her desire to play tenpin is from her young and adventurous heart. Sim endured the seven hour long heart transplant operation in September 2011. Since then she has had this feeling that she needs to be active. Sim participated in the National Transplant Games 3km walk in 2014 and wanted more of a challenge, which led her to tenpin bowling.
Williams explained tenpin bowling is not just about beer and fun at a bowling alley, it is a sport that requires dedication. “Correct technique and equipment can turn an average player into a great one. It’s all about the basics,” Williams added.
Sim said, “The experience has completely changed the way I thought of bowling. I thought you had to bowl straight down the centre of the lane and all the pins will fall. It’s been a learning curve.”
Details: Northcliff Bowl, 011 782 4014.
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