St. Joseph Curling Club launches new season
By Charles Christian
A Canadian sport that owes its popularity to the Winter Olympics is launching a new season in St. Joseph.
The St. Joseph Curling Club started its summer/fall season this week, and club president Patrick Turner said that he hopes the sport will continue to grow in popularity.
“Like most people around here, watching it on the Olympics got my interest,” Turner said. “It’s easy to learn, but it’s hard to master.”
Turner and other members of the club hope that the combination of these two elements will continue to attract interest.
Club member Michael Mooney said the elements of curling are pretty simple. The curler launches the stone by sliding it toward the bullseye. The sweepers use the curling brush or “broom” to help control the speed and distance of the stone, and getting the closest to the bullseye is the goal.
No ice skates are used, because the ice is coated in a way that makes it easier to use. Curlers in the club mostly wear soft-soled tennis shoes, and sliders are available for the thrower (the player who launches the stone). Special curling shoes can be purchased.
Turner said the season consists of matches at Bode Ice Arena, and there are four players per team. Interspersed throughout the weekly meetings are sessions open to the public where people of all ages can learn the sport. Turner said it usually takes about 30 minutes to pick up the basics.
“It’s slick at times,” Turner said, “but if you’re careful, there’s really no danger. We take all age ranges, from kids ages 7 to 8, to those 70 or 80.”
Those interested in learning, observing or competing are urged to go to curlstjoe.org, which has a calendar, as well as contact and registration information. The curling club also has a Facebook site. Those who come to the scheduled learn to curl nights only need to bring warm clothes, comfortable (long) pants and flat-bottom tennis shoes. The rest if provided by the club.
