The old rink is the hub of activity again with the all-too-familiar curling jargon — hurry hard, it’s light and I think it picked.
Ahhh … the comforting sounds of granite colliding down the ice.
Yes, curling season is upon us.
Welcome to all the returning curlers and a very special welcome to all of you new to curling.
We find that every year a few more people return to curling after being away for a decade or two.
Greg Miller is one such curler. He was raised in a small town Lipton, Sask., and began curling at the age of 10.
Greg comes from a long line of curlers. His parents, Florence and Bill, competed in mixed bonspiels and zone championships around Saskatchewan.
Greg and his three brothers curled together on a team and played in various bonspiels. Like many people, Greg returned to curling after a 30-year hiatus. He plays in the men’s and the competitive mixed league and often spares for the ACT league on Sunday.
Greg is no stranger to sports; he played junior A hockey while attending university and is an avid fastball player. Greg can also add multiple Ironman Canada finisher to his list of accomplishments (including 2012).
Greg believes in giving back to the community and can often be seen volunteering at the Vees games.
We are also fortunate enough to have him on our ice committee for the 2013 Continental Cup in January.
2013 WFG
Continental Cup
In less than two months Penticton will be home to the largest curling event in its history from Jan. 10 to 13 at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Singles passes and mini packs (weekend passes) are on sale now.
Around the House
Penticton Curling Club hosted its first bonspiel of the year this past weekend. Our annual Wreck-spiel saw 16 teams compete in the one-day event.
Thanks to the Canadian Curling Association, Penticton has a cool shots board. The cool shots board is played similar to shuffleboard, but comes complete with miniature curling rocks. The club will be running a double knock-out tournament over the next few weeks with the winner advancing to the Continental Cup finals to be held at the Patch on Jan. 11. The Canadian Curling Association also delivered the boards to Oliver, Osoyoos, Kelowna, Vernon and Winfield with winners in each club competing at The Continental Cup Patch.
Our final learn-to-curl clinic is Nov. 10. Call the club to register. The club also has a new league, stick curling, which is played every Sunday. On Nov. 16 to 18 the club is also introducing the mixed doubles bonspiel. The event is modelled after one that will be held during the 2013 Continental Cup and will soon be added to the Olympics. Sign up as a team (one female and one male) or as a single to be paired.
The club is still looking for a few individuals to fill teams, if you are interested in playing please give call the club at 250-492-5647. See you on the ice.
Kim Kirkham is the spokesperson for the Penticton Curling Club.