Cosmic Bowling – Out of this World
You hear kids and teenagers talk about cosmic bowling all the time. It’s a popular birthday party idea as well. My kids have gone several times. It’s even popular in college. I decided I needed to try it out. My son is a decent bowler and it’s something to do in his college town. I went to Highland Bowl in Corvallis, OR.
Cosmic bowling begins later, usually at 10pm or later. I went with my son and several of his friends. They had a table set up near the front door of the bowling alley. Instead of paying per game, you are charged a flat fee for the evening. After getting my lovely shoes, we all proceeded to our lane #1. The game itself you play like normal. I don’t know how long it’s been since you bowled, but it’s all done automatically now. You don’t have to add up scores or figure out how much to add to a spare. All this is recorded on a TV monitor which has all kinds of graphics in between the scores.
When it’s time to begin, the music is turned up and the lights go down. Since they cater to a young crowd, the music is loud rock and roll. Some of it I actually recognize. Instead of the regular overhead lights, they have on black lights with all kinds of strobes. I liked that my shoe laces lit up under the lights.
I thought bowling was more difficult under the lights. I am no pro, my average score is just above 100. With no lights and all these fancy strobes, trying to find my arrow to aim the ball at was pretty difficult. You figure out pretty quick, that that’s not what’s important during cosmic bowling. It’s all about getting together with friends and having a good time. Some were bowling backwards, some like a child between their legs. One kid was throwing the ball like a baseball. (Not sure that was good for the floor).
I lasted for 3 games, then just watched. It was fun for me to see my son with all his friends. I had a good time bowling, but I will leave cosmic bowling to the kids. It’s a little too out of this world for me.
February 18th, 2010 at 2:23 pm
Bowling still has its followers, but there are other forms played both inside and outside. Popular indoor versions of bowling include Cosmic bowling (in Canada).