Curling: The Other Ice Sport

Now that the kids are back in school it won’t be long before the winter sports season is upon us and the time to register is now.

When it comes to winter sports in Canada, its hard not to think about Hockey but there is an alternative, equally Canadian team sport for our kids, and that is curling. For some parents it may be the better option.

Curling is enjoyed by over 1 million Canadians from age 7 to, well any age really, and ever since Brad Gushue’s team from Newfoundland took the Olympic gold in Turino, more and more kids have been drawn to the game.

As a game for our kids, Curling has a lot going for it. It encourages fair play and sportsmanship (curling is a game where players call their own fouls), it is fun, safe (no fights on the ice) and, perhaps best of all, very inexpensive. How inexpensive? Junior and Bantam’s curling at Unionville Curling Club is just $106 for the season, Little Rocks, just $75.

Curling clubs provide the curling stones (half weight rocks for the youngest players), brooms and of course the ice. The only equipment that parents need to provide is clean shoes and, for the younger players. a helmet (the bicycle helmet that is waiting for next summer works great). the club may expect you to purchase one or two “grippers”, an overshoe that helps the kids feet stick to the ice.

Juniors (ages 15-20), Bantams (ages 12-14), and Little Rocks (ages 7-11) curling is usually held on Sundays and each section will spend some off ice time discussing safety, technique and strategy, followed by on-ice time with practice drills and weekly games.

The curling season starts in October, (around Thanksgiving) and runs through the end of March. If you are interested, contact your local curling club, or visit their web site.

York Region curling clubs:

Unionville Curling Club
905-477-2711 |  website

Thornhill Golf & Country Club
905-881-3000 x261 (Dave Dalton, Curling Manager) | website

Richmond Hill Curling Club
905-884-6597 | website

Uxbridge Curling Club
905-852-6862 | website

York Curling Club
905-898-2155 | website