Betsy Kline,
Castlegar News contributor
The Castlegar Curling Club wrapped up its season last week with a dinner, dance and awards ceremony. Castlegar has a very active curling club with mens’, ladies’, mixed, retirees’, junior and fun leagues.
This year’s winners in the playdowns for the men’s league were the Horning rink in the “A” event, the Nichol rink in the “B” event, the Turner rink in the “C” event and the Reed rink in the “D” event. The men’s club consisted of 21 teams.
The mixed league curls on Friday nights and had about 45 members. The first place award this year went to the Nichol rink with the Birukow rink taking second.
Twelve teams made up the ladies’ league this year. The club playdown “A” event was won by the Kambric rink with the Jollimore rink winning the “B” event. The Kambick rink, made up of Jan Kambrick, Heather Nichol, Sandy Deschene and Corry Angrignon, also succeeded in the East and West Kootenay Club Challenge and will now move on to play in the Pacific International Cup held in a few weeks in Richmond, BC.
The retirees’ club had about 70 members this year. They meet four mornings a week with each player usually curling two games each week. After the game, members enjoy a cup of coffee along with a good time of socializing. The club welcomes beginners and offers free instruction. The winners of this year’s skills competition were Alex Bojey, Darryl Weir, Karen Hughes and Randy Melnyk.
The curling club also has a very active junior league curling two afternoons a week. Castlegar junior curlers took first and second place in several area bonspiels this year.
If you are interested in learning to curl, the Castlegar Curling club will host a two day Curl Canada clinic in October. The clinic offers instruction by qualified teachers. Curlers who would like to improve their skills are also welcome to participate in the event. All leagues welcome new curlers.
Another great opportunity for learning or improving your skills is to join the Just for Fun league. This league has a relaxed environment and does not require having a complete team to participate. Participants curl one night a week and spend two hours in instruction and games.