Davidson, featured, Sports

Curling clinic draws crowd to rink

Helen Fontaine leads a group of curlers, under the direction of Amber Holland, as they practise sweeping during a Jan. 23 clinic.
Helen Fontaine leads a group of curlers, under the direction of Amber Holland, as they practise sweeping during a Jan. 22 clinic.

By Joel van der Veen

DAVIDSON — Newbies and veteran curlers alike had the opportunity to learn from the pros at a clinic held in Davidson last weekend.

A total of 22 people registered for the two-hour adult clinic, held the evening of Jan. 22 at the Communiplex curling rink.

While social leagues are growing and more people in their 20s and 30s are taking up the sport, organizers are still working to grow the sport, said Susan Lang, development and market manager for CURLSASK.

“If we don’t do this, we’re not going to have a sport in 20 years,” she said, adding that longtime players were also finding the clinics beneficial.

Lang was one of three instructors leading on Friday night, along with Travis Brown and 2011 Scotties Tournament of Hearts champion Amber Holland.

“Everybody was really eager to try something new,” said Lang. “We try to keep these low-key . . . People strive to improve, but it’s not boot camp.”

The clinic focused on basic skills like sliding, throwing and brushing. Participants were divided up into three groups based on experience level.

For newer curlers, Lang said the sliding is often the most challenging part, although those who have skated or skied in the past may pick it up more quickly.

“The flexibility that’s involved in curling is deceptive,” she said, “as is the requirement for good balance.”

Lang said it can be daunting for new Canadians who haven’t spent time on ice surfaces before, adding, “Not everyone’s a skater, skiier, snowboarder-type of person.”

With that in mind, instructors have developed exercises to help develop that flexibility and balance, as well as prop rocks that can be used in training.

“We saw a big improvement in an hour and a half tonight,” said Lang. “We sort of strip it down to the bare basics . . . We want people to succeed.”

CURLSASK offers clinics targeted at different age groups. Lang said they have found that adults are less likely to take lessons, so organizers seek to make it as comfortable as possible.

For the full story, please see the Feb. 1 edition of The Davidson Leader.