Watching those amazing curlers at the Olympics or at our Vernon Cash Spiel might make one think that curling is a young person’s game. Curling is an exciting, challenging (yet easy to learn), fun and inexpensive winter activity and it is one you can easily take with you into your retirement years.
A group of active senior curlers at the Vernon Curling Club are inviting the “over 50” crowd to a free “Give It A Try” open house Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon each day.
“The open house is there for anyone who wants to get back in the game after some years away or those who want to come out and throw their first rock,” said Jim Skrenek, Curl BC director and member of the Vernon Curling Club.
Curling is a sport that can be played by people of all ages, fitness levels and physical limitations. If you’ve got a bad back or knees, or even if you’re in a wheelchair, you use a delivery stick or take advantage of other modifications.
“They have arranged for instructors to be on ice to help the visitors with their curling technique, with ice safety top of mind,” said Gail Andries, who joined the club after retiring here from Alberta.
Phil Culbert, a club director, said the club will welcome participants to the open house with coffee, and will provide the equipment.
“Just wear warm clothes that you can stretch in and bring clean running shoes and your enthusiasm to try the roaring game,” he said, adding that the club will offer participants two free games.
All leagues welcome new members. In addition to a competitive Friday league, the senior men have a drop-in league Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Three daytime ladies’ leagues welcome seniors: Tuesday and Thursday afternoons, Wednesday mornings and Wednesday and Friday afternoons. A stick curling league, open to men and women, takes to the ice Wednesday mornings. And for couples who want to curl together, there is a senior mixed league Friday afternoons. For more information, check out the website at www.vernoncurlingclub.com or call 250-542-6713.
