Sarah Sobanski
It’s 7 p.m Tuesday night, and the ice pad at the Omemee Curling Club [OCC] is filled to capacity. Players of all ages, beginners to experts, all of different fitness levels, return regularly for league night. The atmosphere is light and full of camaraderie.
Members sweep the ice, which is pebbled by hot water to make it uneven and unpredictable, to guide the rocks to the house. Photo: Sarah Sobanski.
The oldest member is reportedly 94-years-old, while the youngest is just 9-years-old, though neither are in attendance tonight. Some get right down in the hack, the wedges from which the player throwing the rock pushes off, while others use long sticks to grip and throw the rocks – a moderated version for those who haven’t learned to balance in the proper form yet or have restricting health issues, such as back pain.
“The fun of club curling, we’re not the same as the big boys playing for money, but we’ll be playing the whole time,” says Bob Curtin, chumming with Mark Jensen and Scott Florence who co-coach the OCC bantam (ages 10 – 16) /junior (ages 16 – 21) leagues. For Curtin, curling is a family affair, something he can also do with his three daughters.
Each coach wants more of the younger generation to get involved, suspecting that the younger someone starts, the longer they’ll be around – both crucial because curling is a lifelong hobby, and because the popularity of club memberships has decreased. Curtin says with so many pressures on peoples’ time, and so many great things going on in our community, it can be hard to get out to the weekly club nights.
There are four players in a team; the first or lead, the second, the third or vice, and the skip. Each member throws two rocks sliding them towards the house, or rings, for points or to block or knock out the opposing players rocks. Photo: Sarah Sobanski.
“It’s physical enough to keep you interested, and social enough to keep you involved,” says Jensen, enthusiastic about inspiring new curlers with a love for the game. “It’s a strategy and social game, like chess on ice. You’re always thinking three moves ahead.”
“It’s a sport you need to try to appreciate, it’s not as difficult as it looks from watching,” says OCC Secretary Laura Brown. She invites the uninitiated to try pick-up curling which is available every Friday at 7:30 pm for $10 a person for anyone who wants to give it a try. They can come early to learn the ropes and will be paired with more experienced players to have some fun and learn the game.
Brown’s favourite aspect of curling is that it’s all about being a team player. She says there is no star player, each individual needs to be in the game to win. On her team tonight is her fiancé Ben Carnochan, who just began to curl regularly this year, but says he’s picked it up quick. Like most of the players in attendance, Carnochan seems to have been caught up in a curling fever, once that first rock has been thrown, there has to be another.
Kids and young adults looking to try curling can get involved on Sundays with pick-up between 1 p.m and 3 p.m for $5. Sign-ups for the first and second half of the curling season run from now until early January. Anyone looking for more information can visit www.omemeecurlingclub.com or email the OCC at omemeecurling@gmail.com. All equipment is provided at the arena, just bring yourself, friends and a good pair of runners – it’s worth a try, what is there to lose while waiting for the snow to get those skis out of storage?
