Curling

Curling has become a huge part of our life here in Lunenburg. Twice a week we are down at the rink – often closing the place out. Last weekend there was a Bonspiel – the second we have entered at this club.

The first one – the Mariner Mixed – we were totally skunked. We lost each game, we lost each toss, and we didn’t even get a door prize. Even so, it was enjoyable.

Well, we didn’t start this new bonspiel much better than last. We lost the toss – we lost the game. But we had a new team – Jimmy and Chip or Kim. These people are good friends of ours and we were having fun.

Fun increased when we left the ice. Buffet supper of bacon wrapped scallops, chicken wings, subs and nibblies. Then the entertainment started.

The band that played that evening was called “Mid-life Crisis”. They played folksy maritime music. There was dancing – some of it by us – but there was something else. It started small then it grew. Three separate raids on the kitchen left its draws bereft of spoons. Soon the clicker-clack of multiple spoons accompanied all of the songs. Table after table took up these instruments. Funny thing is - the more you have to drink, the better you play and the better they sound.

We walked home after midnight and were back at the club next morning for the 8am draw. We lost that game too – then our luck changed. We finally won a game – our first ever in a bonspiel. And then we won some more.

That Saturday we played three games - and the curling was followed by a ‘fun night’. Our favourite part was the “unusual skills on ice competition”. The first activity was ‘ham in a pan’. A ten-pound boneless ham was placed in a large black roasting pan and all who desired lined up for the opportunity to curl the ham to the other end of the ice. Closest to the button kept the ham. Second got a small pork roast. Third got bacon and eggs. I won the ham! The competitions continued with putting a golf ball to the button, and the ‘little rock cross house’ challenge.

We left at midnight and were back at the rink at 9 am. Sunday was sudden death play downs. Our two/two record meant we were in “B” division. We won our first game, and then our second. We had made it to the “B” final.

The opposition Skip’s name was Jim and he was their only male. Our team consisted of myself, Jim, Jimmy and Chip. As we shook hands before the game Chip introduced himself – “Call me Jim and avoid confusion.”

We did a lot of laughing and a lot of curling that weekend. We played seven games. We did better than we ever expected – second in “B”. And prizes: Besides the ham – we got two baseball caps, a nice sailing bag, a car emergency kit and a fancy pen.

It was a great weekend.

CURLING PRIMER FOR AUSTRALIANS.

Curling is like lawn bowls on ice. Instead of the ‘jack’ the target is a bullseye painted under the ice. Like bowls, you can knock out opponent’s stones or you can try and position your stones behind cover - close to the centre of the bullseye (button).

When the stone is thrown (slid down the ice), sweeping can make it go straighter or further. The normal stone spins and curls (or curves) on the way down to the button.

One point is given for the rock closest to the ‘button’. Additional points are given for each rock of the same team until out of the bullseye (or rings) or an opposition stone is closer.

Each team consists of four players – each delivering two rocks each.

The game is lots and lots of fun!