Curling
Published in the Seniors Choice January 2005
It seems that the first recorded mention of the sport was in the mid 1500s. The British even claim to have played the game on French turf along the St Lawrence in the rather disruptive 1700s. Whatever the origin it is a sport that has evolved into a popular activity that claims the athletic attention of men and women alike. It is one of those sports where one's gender does not necessarily mean the supposedly stronger will triumph. It seems to me that at least in this sport the playing field has been levelled.
As a young student on the Prairies I remember being introduced to the game by a caring and sharing adult population. No! They were not my parents but they certainly got the respect they were due. These adults encouraged the young people to learn the game and made every effort to ensure that we did. They took the time, demonstrated the skills, and had the patience to help us develop a modicum of ability before really turning us loose to just have good, clean fun. And; that was in spite of the fact that most of the young people could not afford the best of curling paraphernalia. Why these gentle people even let us use their equipment. Oh yes! That was in the days of the corn curling broom and even before they introduced a cloth cover. The Imperial Curling Club (open to the frigid, flatland cold before artificial ice happened along) had a distinct essence and the foyer rang to the slap, slap, slap of an artistically applied sweeper. (Shades of Ernie Richardson you say!) Well, fast-forward that scene a few decades and we see the more things change the more they stay the same.
It is true the corn broom has been replaced by a rather unimpressive push broom. No slap; not even a swish. The foyers are much cleaner. The member's lounge much nicer and very comfortable - sometimes clean. The artificial ice is crack free and even. The curlers have added a few years but they are still smiling and very friendly.
A new twist is the possibility of remaining an active curler beyond the octogenarian years using a 'curling stick'. That's right! Those who gave up the game because of the physical challenges of advancing age, or the onset of arthritis, or failing joints can once again curl without the fear and pain of having to get down in the hacks. Using the stick for curling opens up whole new possibilities for seniors remaining active longer in this desirable active and social sport.
For more information about how you can get active in the social sport of curling and about your local Curling Club go to the Curl BC website at: http://www.curlbc.ca/content/home.asp .
For more information on the art of 'Stick Curling' go to: http://www.stickcurling.ca/
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