Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Curling


It's long been a fantasy of mine that I would come to participate in a sporting event for the first time and show a natural ability. This fantasy also applies to other things, like singing (that really is a fantasy. I've heard myself sing). Sadly, this fantasy has never become reality-until now! You heard me right. Saturday night, Kevin and I and our friends, Julie and Mitchell, went out to a Learn to Curl clinic and, after a short introduction, played our first game. Half-way through the game our instructor took us aside and told us he has never seen a group with such a natural athleticism for Curling. We thought he was just blowing smoke, but after looking around at the 21 other people playing on the other sheets, he was right. We were much better than all of them! Really. There were people falling over, no stones were making it into the house (the bullseye on the ice) and here we were delivering stones and knocking our opponents out.

Now, lest you think the ancient Scottish game of Curling is not a sport, consider the beer drinking. Beer drinking is a common denominator of every sport. And where else is beer drinking the expected outcome of the game? Where else can you call the "Mercy Rule" and the winner will buy you a beer as part of the "brotherhood of Curling"? Now, it's true that I'm not a big beer drinker. Beer is a taste I have not fully acquired, although I have discovered that I do like Labatt's Blue (Ribbon- that's for you, Julie). But what I do like about it is the camaraderie of sitting down to a beer together. It's a lot like having a coffee with a good girlfriend. The clinking together of two bottle necks is something that makes me feel good. Weird, I know. But I digress.

Sweeping stones is hard! It's actual exercise. You're running sideways on ice while leaning into a broom and pushing it back and forth in short sweeps. That ain't easy! Delivering a stone out of the hack with the right weight and curl is challenging, especially if you don't want to fall over. You gotta be limber to get down there and your tweaky knee better hold out!

Our recruiter- I mean instructor, Rick shared with us the many of the wonderful things in the culture of Curling: Curling is a brotherhood. Before and after each game, the opponents shake hands and wish each other "good curling". There are no officials. It's an honor game, like golf. You call your own fouls. The winner buys the first round. He told us of the friendliness of the members, willingness of curling clubs in other cities to host people in their homes for tournaments called bonspiels, the welcoming of traveling curlers in other clubs. He said that if he was in Canada and his car broke down, he'd call the local Curling club. They'd tow his car, put him up and if he forgot his Curling shoes, would find him some shoes to borrow. He painted a pretty picture. We were feeling like college recruits. I must say, Rick is good in the living room.

Ever since that day, I've been thinking about curling. I can't get enough. I've even been dreaming of it! I think all 4 of us would like to join the instructional league and learn how to do it better. I think we could be contenders! Sadly, with 7 kids under the age of 9 between us, the day we can do this is at least 5 years away, when the oldest of the kids will be old enough to babysit the younger ones. Oh, well. In the meantime, we've got the 2010 Winter Olympics and a fridge full of beer!

5 comments:

  1. That's great, Mary! I know what you mean about the beer too! Curl On! :)

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  2. HA! It was great. I felt like Joe Paterno was sitting there trying to get me to "come to Penn State". I will admit, the beer drinking is my favorite part. Who knew there was so much science and, yes, athleticism involved in the sport of curling. Thank you, Mary for guilting us into it! lol.

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  3. I know what you guys will be watching in the next few weeks!
    http://www.nbcolympics.com/curling/index.html

    Thanks for the fun story!

    How did Kevin like it?
    Brandon

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  4. Awesome, Mary!! Sounds like a blast! OH, and I'm enjoying you blogging again - thanks!! uh, but where are the pictures! ;) Wish I was there curling with you - Christi

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  5. Awesome writing Mary! I always enjoy reading your blog. When I am bullied into it that is! Now go watch my videos!

    Oh and post some pictures. I'm sure you can get someone to snap a few for you champs!!

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