by Faye Price

Created on: February 02, 2010

The rock echoes as it rumbles down the long sheet of ice.  A yell sets brooms in motion, their shushing against the ice adding to the noise.  The yelling continues as the rock draws closer to the red, blue, and white rings drawn on the ice.  The rings are littered with other rocks.  With a loud crack, the rock in motion crashed into a stationary rock, sending it hurtling into a group of rocks clustered at the centre of the rings.  A loud cheer erupts as the rocks all come to rest again.

All across Canada, from tiny settlements of only a few people to large urban centres populated by hundreds of thousands, the same noises can be heard as winter wraps its frosty grip on the country.  They are the noises of a game enjoyed by the young and old alike.  It is the game of curling.

Curling in Canada is more than a sporting event.  It is a social gathering.  When winter swoops down and covers the land in an icy blanket of snow, life can be found at the local curling rink. 

The game takes place on a sheet of ice but the real shots are made behind glass in the warmth of the seating area.  Here, armchair skips make the correct calls, have the perfect weight, and always know when to call the sweepers on.  Discussions about what is happening on the ice are mixed with chats about the local gossip.

Teams compete on the ice for dominance and an over-sized trophy.  But off the ice, they compete for the tallest tail and best shot.  Shots from past games are relived, growing more spectacular with each passing year.  Each passing “nightly beverage” also adds to their brilliance.

During the bonspiels, nightly suppers are served to the curlers and spectators.  Roast beef, turkey, and ham, complete with all the trimmings, are rotated through the different nights.  The town comes out to enjoy a home-cooked meal and a little entertainment.  They cheer on the local athletes while they can – you never know when one will catch a lucky break and end up curling on TV!

Curling is a game for the young and old, for the athletes and non-athletes, for the serious and not-so-serious.  It knows no age limit and no skill level.  It is not an expensive game to enjoy, requiring very little specialized equipment.  It is enjoyed all across Canada as it brings people and towns together.

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