New curlers hone skills in beginner league

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This article was published 07/02/2024 (589 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Hacks, draw weight, peel, sheet, hogged stone, pebble, raise, roll, hammer, heavy, button, shot rock, blank end, biter, backline, end, tee line, raise, hog line, end, hammer, house, and the curling battle cry “hurry hard.”

Participants in the Brandon Curling Club’s beginner curling programs have expanded their vocabularies to include those terms throughout the fall and winter.

Offered in nine-week sessions, volunteer coach and Brandon club president Sheldon Wettig provides his neophyte curlers with the terms used on the curling ice while honing an array of skills during the Wednesday night adult beginner league.

“The purpose of offering beginner curling is to increase exposure of the sport in the city, and try to bring in people who might not feel comfortable in an established league … we’ve created this as a less competitive focus, so you can come out and learn and have fun,” Wettig said.

“I would like to see more cultural diversity in this sport here … our goal at the club is to see more diversity. Let’s grow the sport. We’re starting to see the sport grow and develop around the world in places like India. Italy is ranked No. 1 in the world.”

It might look easy watching curlers on TSN or CBC during the Brier or Scotties, but those curlers have honed their craft with many sessions on the ice, plus game experience, according to Wettig.

“There are so many things to think about when you are curling. (Newfoundland skip) Brad Gushue makes it look easy, but he’s a pro … not everyone can be a pro. You can also just go out and curl and have fun.”

There are two options offered for those interested and for just $100. All equipment is supplied — sliders, sticks, brooms and crutches, which can make it easier to balance while throwing a rock.

“We started this program in 2023 and wanted to make it affordable for those just wanting to learn how to curl,” he said. “By bringing in potential new curlers, we can grow our sport and our membership, which is just over 500, which is down since COVID.

“It’s good we are making this accessible with our (registration) fee of $100. You don’t want to price yourself out for people wanting to come out to try.”

Gone are the wool sweaters and corn broom used by your grandparents on the sheet. Instead, curling equipment has evolved and provided tools so curlers with bad backs or wonky knees can still come out. Special attire is now worn for flexibility and fashion.

“The stick is used for those curlers who can no longer get down to deliver a rock from the hack,” he explained of the apparatus used in a standing position, and the rock is pushed off by the stick, not the hand.

“With the stick and crutch, you can still be part of the game using them.”

Curler Barb Danko loves the sport of curling and said there’s a reason why she turned to the stick from the usual broom used when delivering a stone from a sliding position.

The development league allows you to sign up individually or as a team. For about 90 minutes, participants take part in six-end games, with guidance from on-site coaches like Wettig and Shayne MacGranachan.

Option 2 is called “Learn to curl” and is open to individuals or as a group. For three weeks, in small groups, instruction is provided by experienced coaches who teach on-ice plus provide the terminology you’ll need to play games.

For the next six weeks, this group of curlers are guided through four-end games.

“With the learn to curl curlers once they are on the ice, and with instructions, they realize curling is fun because they’re not in a high-pressure situation,” said Wettig. “Curling is one the more social sports.”

Curling for the past 32 years thanks to being introduced to the sport in Yellowknife by his father, Wettig is on Team Nunavut and will be in Regina next month for the Montana’s Brier.

While Wettig has curled at high levels, like him, you have to start somewhere.

“You might say you have no experience, so I’m not good enough to play,” he explained. “By trying the learn to curl sessions, you’re on the ice with men and women who are in the same place as you, there to learn. This is less intimidating for those starting out.”

One moment, Wetting is helping the learn to curl participants handle their brooms, stopping the action to demonstrate. His attentive audience take in every word, then try what he’s taught them when the game continues.

Then Wetting swings over to another group and talks strategies regarding rock placement and how to put up a guard, or bring the rock past a guard into the house.

“The people signed up want to try curling, and don’t want someone telling them about curling. (As a coach) they learn the techniques and terms we use from me, but for them, it’s all about playing the game,” he said.

What’s the hardest thing about learning to curl?

“You have to get over your fear or falling,” Wettig said. “Starting out, (beginners) are hesitant to try because it hurts if you fall on the ice. That’s why we recommend, if you’re starting out, to wear a helmet.”

The curling club’s learn to curl for youngsters program mandates the kids wear helmets at the start.

While fear of falling is natural when out walking/sliding on an icy surface minus skates, Wettig said the skill which is the hardest to master is sliding, not throwing or sweeping rocks.

“The slide is the toughest (skill) to learn. There are so many intricate parts to it. Like golf, one small aspect of what you are doing can make your game go bad.”

What does Wettig think about the sport, being involved in it for more than three decades and seeing the world by playing high-level on the national and international stage?

“In my opinion, curling is the best sport in the world. It’s a sport you can play from 10 to 70. It’s amazingly social where you’ll meet the greatest people in the curling world. You’re doing something which is controlled, there’s no body contact so there’s no risk of injury. This is why I want to expose more people to this sport.”

While the winter session is currently underway, held every Wednesday starting at 7 p.m., Wettig said the learn to curl program will welcome additional participants — cost prorated for the time left in nine-week sessions.

Email brandoncurls@wcgwave.ca or call club manager Garth Forster at 204-726-3560 for more information.

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