More curlers are sweeping their way into the season this year as six new teams have invigorated the league.
Increasing numbers of players means more fun, socializing and exercise for everyone, according to Innisfail Curling Club President Hanno Buyks.
“Everyone's just kind of getting up and going,” he said. “We're really looking forward to having a good season.”
With the second weeks of curling completed so far, teams are well on their way to revving up for the winter bonspiels, although you don't necessarily have to be in the league to enter a team in mid-year competitions. A men's bonspiel will be held in December, while the women's and the farmers' bonspiels are to be held in the new year.
“For most people it's a chance to go out and meet up with friends,” he said.
The club also added another day to its stick league because of interest. In these games players use a stick to push the rock instead of lunging forward to release the rock.
“It's a way for people who usually couldn't curl because of knee issues to still curl,” he said. “The key thing is you're not bending down. The slide takes a fair bit of strength through the knee.”
A new ice scraper and dehumidifier purchased this year will help improve the ice surface for sweepers and skips.
“If you have better quality equipment it just makes it a better experience for everybody,” he said. “The rocks you throw at the beginning of the game are the same as in the middle of the game and the end of the game.”
The public is free to watch any game they wish, and players are still welcome to sign up as a spare.
