by Carol Graham
The Grand Forks Curling Club started in 1909 in the heart of the Boundary Country.
Our rink has four sheets of excellent ice. Come and visit us at the rink at 7230 21st St. (we are behind the Jack Goddard Arena and east of the aquatic centre). We are an active club with a place for new and experienced curlers of any age.
There are eight leagues: Men’s who play Tuesday, and another Men’s who play Thursday nights at 7 p.m.; Ladies who play Wednesday at 7 p.m. and another Ladies who play Thursday at 1 p.m.; Retirees Men who play Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 1 p.m. and gladly have retired ladies play with them; Mixed who play Tuesday at 1 p.m. and another Mixed who play Friday at 7 p.m.; there is open curling on Sunday from 12 – 2 p.m. and lastly, Juniors who play Monday at 6:30 pm and Thursday at 4 p.m.
The spring season starts the week of Jan. 4, 2015 and ends the week of March 8, 2015.
What is the game of curling? Teams are made up of four people (each player throws two stones). Two teams play against each other on one “sheet” (lane) of ice. The four positions are:
Lead: Goes first in the throwing order, then sweeps all the other team members’ shots.
Second: Throws second and sweeps all other team members’ shots.
Third: Throws third, holds broom (target) for skip, and sweeps only lead’s and second’s shots.
Skip: Throws last, holds broom (target) for all other players, tells other players when to sweep.
You will need a warm coat or sweater and a clean pair of running shoes (not the shoes you walk through the parking lot with) and gloves. All other equipment is available at the curling rink.
How is the game played? At the start of the end, the two skips go down to the far end of the house and begin to direct play for their teams. Each team alternates throwing with the other team one stone at a time.
At the conclusion of an end, the two thirds agree on the score and it is marked on the scoreboard.
After eight ends have played, the game is over and the team with the higher score wins. A game usually lasts two hours.
You may have seen curlers sliding out of the hack to deliver their rock. Are you afraid you would be unable to succeed in this feat? No problem, as there is now a device that is attached to the broom that allows the curler to walk and deliver the rock.
Do you still want to know more? Please go to the Grand Forks Curling Club website at HYPERLINK “http://curlgf.ca/”curlgf.ca or visit the Grand Forks Curling Rink.
