Recreation : Area Team Advances in Gaelic Sport

The Young Ireland’s, one of two Valley-based Gaelic football teams, has qualified for the Western Regional finals of the North American Championships Aug. 13-14 in San Francisco.

The Young Ireland’s advanced after defeating the Orange County-based Wild Geese, 13-11, Sunday.

In the Western Regional finals, a Southern California team will play a Northern California team for a berth in the North American championships.

Gaelic football teams from throughout the United States will converge in San Francisco on Labor Day weekend for the championships.

Bumper bowling: In an effort to ease young bowlers into the sport, the Woodlake Bowl in Woodland Hills has devised a bumper bowling league, which is designed to teach youths aged 3 to 7 the fundamentals of the sport without the frustration of rolling gutter balls.

The gutters are filled with a rolled up carpet to keep the balls in the lanes. Bowlers can concentrate on their footwork and ball-handling skills without worrying about where the ball rolls.

“It’s very discouraging to the kids to throw just gutter balls while they’re learning to bowl,” instructor Lee Ball said.

Ball, 57, of Woodland Hills has taught in the bumper bowling league for two years.

After the summer league ends this month, the winter league starts Sept. 19 and runs through January.

Information: 818-347-3189.

Volleyball camp: Coach Andy Banachowski of the UCLA women’s volleyball team will conduct a four-day volleyball camp at Agoura High beginning Monday.

The third annual camp will offer instruction in beginning, intermediate and advanced volleyball skills and is open to players at the junior high and high school levels.

In 21 years at UCLA, Banachowski has coached four national championship teams and earned more than 500 collegiate victories.

Information: 213-206-6831.

Youth is served: A variety of sports and recreation activities, including floor hockey, team handball and running, are being offered in the Los Angeles Unified School District Valley Youth Services summer program.

The instructional programs are conducted daily at elementary and junior high schools throughout the San Fernando Valley.

Sessions in fitness, which includes the standing triple jump, agility training and a shuttle run, are being offered along with indoor floor hockey and team handball. Swimming is also available in portable pools that have been set up at various schools.

Summer programs run through Aug. 19. Schools are open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on weekdays.

Information: 818-997-2577.

Get it in gear: For cycling enthusiasts interested in learning about mountain biking or bicycle repair, The Wilderness Institute of Woodland Hills offers instruction classes on both topics Sunday.

Mountain biking students will learn about safety skills and environmental concerns on a six-hour bike tour through the Santa Monica Mountains.

In the mountain bike repair class, instruction is offered in changing a flat tire, tuning gears and derailleurs, and in the proper cleaning and greasing techniques for the chain and wheels.

Information: 818-887-7831.

Swim team: The Los Angeles City Recreation and Parks Department has openings for the swimming and diving teams at the Van Nuys-Sherman Oaks Park pool.

Youths age 7 to 17 are eligible.

Information: 818-981-6614.