For new curlers, learning the rigid launch position and mastering the measured and gentle release of the rock is an art that looks much easier than it actually is.
But rigid is hardly the way to describe curling, and the Terrace club director Leanne Billson says it is the fun social aspect that a lot of curlers enjoy.
“It is a game you need to think about and learn more etiquette than anything else, but it is a lot of fun to be on a team and just be there for a good time,” she said.
That fun, and the laughter of new curlers as they tried out different positions, filled the rink at the recent Funspiel at the Terrace Curling Club Nov. 7.
Organizer Lisa Bulleid said there were 20 teams, mostly from local businesses, and it was a good mixture of new and novice curlers.
“Everyone that came out seemed to have a good time,” she said.
Sponsored by Sherwood Brewery, the goal of the event is introduce people to curling and enjoy some fun and friendly competition and Bulleid says it often recruits people into the regular weekday league.
Billson said numbers are up in the curling club this year, with a particular rise in junior curlers and new curlers in their 20s.
“This is a good sign as this is the future of our club,” Billson said, adding that there are discounts for players under 30 and seniors which add extra incentive.
The weekday leagues includes a Monday junior league and novice instruction program, Tuesday open league, Wednesday ladies, Thursday mens and Friday mixed league.
Their next bonspiel is a turkey shoot on Dec. 20 which starts at 2 p.m. and lasts a few hours with beverages and finger foods, Billson said.
New and seasoned curlers will have two to four tries to shoot for the button (bullseye). They earn points based on how close their rocks land and the person with the most points wins Christmas dinner, Billson said.