Sports: Curling

SPORTS, September 2008, by Karen Demers

CURLING


Sara's curling teamAs a competitive curler for many years, I loved how curling made me think. Curling is like chess on ice – planning your shots in advance and settling for ‘Plan Z’ when things go wrong! Teen curler Sara Cousins (pink hat in the photo with her team) likes the sport because “It doesn’t matter if you’re a girl or a boy or how old you are curling offers something to everyone”. Like Sara and I, most curlers become involved with the sport through family and friends. Sara curls with her elementary school team and has won events at the Ontario Timbits Provincial Elementary School Bonspiel. 

Brief History: Back in the 16th Century, an unknown individual started the game of
curling in Scotland. People would gather in teams on an outside ice pad, throwing rocks at a distant target.  In the 18th century Scottish immigrants brought the game of curling to North America. In 1807 the first Canadian Curling club was established in Montreal. Since then, the sport has continued to grow rapidly across the nation.

Commitment Level: The level of commitment is going to vary for everyone. The first step is just trying. You can leisurely play the sport in fun leagues at your local club, or you can join a competitive team and curl everyday. Playing on a school team like Sara does allows you to compete without it being overwhelming.

Starting age: 7-12 years old. 

Physical Requirements: Curling is a social sport. It really is a game that just about anyone can play... you need to be able to bend, balance and laugh a lot!
Equipment: a broom, shoes, rocks, and some ice, of course!

Average Cost: While cost will vary from club to club, you can expect to pay about $25-$80 for a youth league.

Who are some ‘She’ros in this sport?
Sandra Schmirler was one of Canada’s greatest curlers of all time winning 3 world titles and the first gold medal for curling in 1998. Unfortunately, at the young age of 36 Sandra died of cancer. A competitor of Sandra’s is Elisabet Gustafson from Sweden who currently holds the most world titles and a bronze medal. One of Sara’s ‘she’ro’s is Jennifer Jones from Manitoba. She is currently the Canadian and World Champion and has been named the top female Canadian curler for the last three years.  

What do parents think of this sport?:
Parent’s think curling is a great sport! Sara’s parents believe it’s a social sport that allows the family to play together - old or young.   

Slang/Jargon: ’Hogged rock’: the rock doesn’t make it over the hog line and can’t be used; ‘8 ender’: all 8 rocks equals 8 points in one end; ‘Hammer’: is awarded to the team with the last rock in each end; ‘House’: the rings that the players are shooting at (hence, ‘throwing rocks at houses’!);  ‘Button’: the very center of the rings; ‘Delivery’: how a person throws the stone.

Why others should consider curling: Curling is a fun, unique sport you can play with friends and family of all ages. Once you try it out and
like it, you love it for life!

~Karen

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