Squamish curling is not around the bend, it's rock hard and happening right now in full... well, in full curl.Eight teams and thirty-two women took to the ice on Tuesday night (Oct. 16) to hurry hard during an early round in ladies league play.Participants said curling is the perfect winter sport to keep fit in the dry (if not warm) indoors.
"It's a great social sport, it's good exercise and great fun," said curler and junior coach Jo-Anne Otto. "You meet a good cross-section of people of all ages."
There are opportunities for experienced and new curlers to come out to the Howe Sound Curling Club throughout each week. The ladies league runs Tuesdays (6:45 p.m.) followed by the men's on Wednesdays (6:45 p.m. and 9 p.m.). Newcomers can come out to the Friday social league or the Monday charity league, both at 7 p.m., to test out the ice for themselves. Or you can call club president Jim Schutz at 604-898-4237 to inquire about lessons.
The social, mixed, junior and senior leagues are also up and running.Otto said the most difficult skill to master is gauging the weight of the rock and delivering. Practice is important, but the game itself isn't difficult to pick up.
"Anybody can curl, we can teach anybody. It does take regular league play to get the finesse down though."
A Men's Bonspiel is coming up from Oct. 26-28, with a registration fee of $250 per team. A Ladies Bonspiel will follow from Nov. 9-11 at $220 per team.
Besides a lot of curling, there will be entertainment, dinner and door prizes on Saturday, Nov. 10. Participants should register before Oct. 26 by calling Grace Halvorson at 604-898-3072 or Pat Marini 604-898-9185.
