0

WATCH: Learning to throw rocks and sweep - for fun

Why one of Canada’s most popular pastimes is drawing intrigue in the Okanagan

  • The number of curlers continues to grow in the Okanagan
  • The day was all about trying curling for the first time, with instructors on hand to teach the basics
  • The club is celebrating its 80th anniversary this year, and yes, the Summer Spiel will return this year!

Curling has deep roots in Canada, with brooms sitting proudly in houses across the nation.

But for some, excitement does not greet the knowledge of a weekend bonspiel, but rather, confusion.

That’s where the Kelowna Curling Club comes in.

“People want to get out and try things again and it’s an opportunity to try an Olympic event. Kelowna is a curling town,” general manager Jock Tyre told Kelonwa10, referencing an open house the facility hosted Saturday afternoon.

Over 80 people registered for the event, geared towards teaching people to sweep, skip rocks and understand the game of curling. It was partially inspired by the club's February Curling Day in Canada event, which sold out immediately after it was announced.

“We thought you know people obviously are still interested in trying curling. It’s on TV and people want to get out,” Tyre added.

Among the eager curlers was Cam Robertson and his two sons. Robertson, who spent lots of time around the curling club with his parents as a kid, thought it would be a great opportunity for his kids to try out the sport.

“It’s about finding lifelong sports for them to enjoy and that’s why I really wanted to get them out here and obviously having another winter activity is never such a bad thing in the Okanagan Valley,” he said.

The KCC took a hit like many other sport club’s during the pandemic. For Tyre, seeing the enthusiasm of the curling community and bringing fresh faces to the game in is a “huge relief.”

“The club was doing really well pre-COVID and obviously our numbers dropped substantially during COVID and we’re just starting to come back and it’s really a good feeling,” he said. “The club was going in the right direction up until COVID so I’m excited to have the interest and the positive feeling of the building going on.”

The last curling event at the club will be on Mar. 26, as they prepare for tradeshow season, pickleball, and welcoming back summer curling with the 80th anniversary Summer Spiel.

Published 2022-03-12 by Connor Chan

Get a fresh daily look

See what’s happening in and around our city, and the people who call it home.

Our newsroom abides by the RTNDA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct and follows the Canadian Press Stylebook. If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to send us a news tip, please contact us.

Kelowna10 is division of Pattison Media, and strives to achieve the highest ethical standards in all that we do.