It starts out the same like most of my posts on new experiences. I’ve always wanted to try everything so naturally, I’ve always wanted to try curling. Yet again, Groupon gives me the opportunity to do it. The groupon was $20 for a 2 hour lesson and play at the Royal Canadian Curling Club with Rock Solid Productions.

The instructors were super nice and there were tons of people there… about 50 people. We were all divided in groups of 8 for each sheet (the playing area). The ice was handmade and very fragile, not like a ice skating rink. Chris, tried curling before in highschool gym so he told me that the surface of the ice is bumpy made from water droplets and when you sweep, you want to smooth the bumps away so your rock goes further.

First we tried just sliding on the surface as if we were going to “throw” the rocks. One foot was on a slippery slider and the other was on ‘hack’ which was like foot stand for your other foot for the lunge. A couple of us fell… I did fine the first time but then I managed to lose my balance and fall. My butt was a little sore as was my knee. Damn! It was like snowboarding again.

Next we practiced with the rocks and it was easier to balance but now I kept ‘throwing’ the rock like bowling instead of letting go and letting my lunge be the push. Chris was doing great since he did it before.

We learn how to sweep next. This was TOUGH! It was hard work and made you work up a sweat (which was fine because the ice was cold!). This where I fell again…hard…on my face. Yes, it hurt and yes it was funny as well because I was sweeping so hard but had to chase after the rock because it was so fast and slam! face on the ice. It hurt and I sat out for a little bit to ice my face and hope it doesn’t bruise.

After 15 minutes, I was determined to play more and so I went back on the ice. They were just about to start a new game.

Basically, each team of 4 players shoots two rocks. So the lead (player #1 – red team) shoots one, then the opposing team’s lead shoots one. Then, the lead (player #1 – red team) shoots another one and the yellow team’s lead follows. Then it switches, player #2 goes. Two members of the team will sweep and one member, called the ‘skip’  will be at the end of the sheet to direct where they want the rock to go. The objective is to get as many rocks within the ‘house’ (aka target on the ice) and closest to the middle (which is called the button). The catch is only ONE team can score at the end of each round so the team closest to the middle scores. Each rock within the house (target) counts as 1 point —not like archery where you get more point closer to the middle. You can knock the opposing’s team rock out of play to ensure you are closest and get to score. What a unique concept!

Our team won even though it was really for play and most of us was grasping the concept. I loved it! It was so fun even though I fell a few times. The sport was like a mix of archery, bowling and ice skating.
Try it, I would want to do it again.

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