The ice is in and the Castlegar Curling Club is gearing up for another great year of curling. With curling happening almost every day and night, the rink is being prepared for another busy year.
“Come on out and have fun,” said club president Ron Anderson. “We are open for new people that want to get involved in the sport. Our club is all about introducing the sport to people and making sure they get out there and have fun.”
The season will kick off with an open house and fun night at 7:00 p.m. on October 16. Everyone is invited to participate in this night of free curling.
The next event will be a Curl Canada learn to curl clinic on Saturday, October 24. It is open to anyone who wants to learn more or try curling for the first time. If there is enough interest, they will also run a strategic and skip development clinic at the same time. For more information, call Bob at the curling rink at 250-365-6666.
The schedule for this year is similar to previous years. The men will take to the ice Monday and Wednesday evenings, the ladies on Thursday evenings and the mixed league will play on Friday evenings.
Tuesday night is fun night, with a variety of games being played. Being introduced this year in Castlegar and at the next olympics is doubles curling, a game played with only two players per team, and no sweepers. Another Tuesday option is sturling, where delivery of the rock is done with a stick, eliminating the need for squatting or bending. The remainder of the sheets will be used as a fun league, any combination of players is welcome, as are those who are just learning or wishing to improve their skills.
The retirees play on Monday through Thursday mornings, with enough teams in the league to allow each team to play two games per week.
The club also has a vibrant junior league that plays on Tuesdays and Thursdays after school. Junior curling combines skills development with game play. All equipment is provided with the exception of shoes and the cost is only $25 for the season.
The club will host four bonspiels this year: mixed in mid January, men in early February, retirees in mid February and ladies the first weekend in March.