Nearly 40 young women from Kamloops take part in Learn to Curl Clinic

“Whether it’s to play and have fun and meet new friends or to go all the way to standing on the podium someday,” Morris says. “It’s just delightful to see the energy and the excitement of the girls out here, today.”

Most of the participants at the clinic were stepping onto the pebbled ice for the first time.

“This is my first time actually being on the ice,” Felicity Kiel explains. “A few months ago during Christmas, we went and watched my cousin do a bonspiel, and that was really fun.”

The clinic started with the very basics, like simple curling terminology, and safety when you’re out on the ice. Participants also got to learn proper sliding and sweeping techniques, as well as how to make the rocks curl.

‘I like it,” Kiel tells CFJC Today. “It’s fun to have [the rock] glide across the ice. Who knew something so heavy could glide so smoothly?”

Once all the skills were demonstrated, the girls got a chance to put them all together. Corryn Brown, who’s used to playing the game at the highest level in the country, even got in on the action, playing lead for one of the teams on her sheet.

“It’s not all about winning or losing and making the shots. It’s about that camaraderie and having a good time,” Brown explains. “I try to make it look like fun. Sometimes curling can get a bad rap about it not being a fun sport, so I try to make it fun, and make it really what it is, just to give them the taste of what a great sport curling is.”

Morris even brought out her Olympic silver medal to show the participants, which is always a crowd-pleaser.

“Well, the first comment out of everyone’s mouth is how heavy it is,” Morris says. “Everything from awe and tears and giggles. It’s pretty special to be able to share that with others.”

This event was aimed more toward beginners and teaching those foundational skills. However, for Jacey Hallstrom, events like this, that come along with hosting the Scotties serve as an inspiration to pursue her curling dreams.

“I was watching the Scotties last night on TV,” Hallstrom says. “I actually said to my parents, I was like ‘I want to be on the Scotties one day.’”

by Adam Donnelly

Nearly 40 young women from Kamloops take part in Learn to Curl Clinic

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