The message, say the organizers of the Rhode Island Ocean Tides Senior Games, is quite simple: Everyone is welcome . . . even if you're not quite a senior yet.

"We want to have people of all abilities," said Nancy Dobie, co-founder of the Games along with Julie Baldwin. "Everybody plays — that has always been my way of thinking. It doesn't matter what your size, shape or interest. Just come out and have fun. We hope that you just have a good time and do the best you can."

Both retired physical education teachers, Baldwin and Dobie have been tackling their latest endeavor — now in its second year — with the same diligence with which they once advocated for better athletic opportunities for girls in Rhode Island more than 40 years ago.

It's been a process of listening, learning and networking, the organizers say. Based upon feedback from the inaugural Games, which last year featured 10 sports and 217 competitors, they spread out some events this year, changed some starting times and made other adjustments that they hoped would better accommodate the athletes this time around.

A 3-on-3 women's basketball tournament has been added, and a number of events now also feature a 40 to 49 age group.

"We included the 40-year-olds because with Title IX not being instituted until the early '70s, there was a group of athletes that was kind of left in limbo," Dobie said. "So we said, 'Why not invite them?' Let's bring these 40-year-olds in, so they will continue long after Julie and I and the rest of our board are gone.

"Each year we're learning what works and what doesn't," added Dobie, whose group has received the support of the R.I. Senior Agenda Coalition, the Gray Panthers of Rhode Island, the R.I. Forum on Aging and the R.I. Department of Elderly Affairs. "It's been a wonderful team effort."

This year's Ocean Tides Senior Games kicked off in late May with a bowling tournament at Lang's Bowling Lanes in Cranston. The same weekend, a men's 3-on-3 basketball tournament was held at Roger Williams University, and a 5K and 10K cycling event was held at Colt State Park in Bristol.

In early June, there was tennis at Mt. Hope High School, a swim meet at Roger Williams, 5K and 10K road races at Colt State Park, a golf tournament at Swansea Country Club, table tennis at the Cumberland Senior Center and a track meet at Barrington High School.

There are two events remaining on the schedule, including a triathlon which will once again be contested at the Bayside Family YMCA Triathlon, Aug. 15 at Barrington. The Games will conclude with the women's basketball tournament, Oct. 3 at Bay View Academy in East Providence.

Thanks to Web designer and technical consultant Joshua DaPonte, the organization now has a Web site — www.riotsg.org. The brother and sister team of Ron and Brooke Cotta has also been helping out with some of the technical aspects of compiling results and statistics.

"They've been so inspiring and supportive," Dobie said of the students. "And it's wonderful for the kids to see what lies ahead for them as athletes. We're trying to tie the generations together, and say, 'Hey, kids, we're all in it for the same purpose. We want to stay young in spirit and stay healthy.' "

Even before this year's Games are done, Dobie and Baldwin are already looking ahead to next year. They say plans are under way to add bocce, billiards and sailing events.

"We're receptive to suggestions," Baldwin said. "We're reaching out. We're always interested in finding some more people. I think we have enough of a sense of humor that we can reach anybody. We'll get there."

For information about the Rhode Island Ocean Tides Senior Games, contact Dobie by phone at (401) 253-1425 or via e-mail at rhodytides@aol.com. Information about the Bayside Family YMCA Triathlon is available at www.firm-racing.com.

cthorn@projo.com