SLGCC hosts successful Curling Day in Canada event

Tim Brody - Editor

The Sioux Lookout Golf and Curling Club (SLGCC) was abuzz with curling, conversations, and games on Feb. 25, Curling Day in Canada.
Experienced curlers shared their knowledge with new curlers and excitement was high for a special Draw to the Button held at noon.
JoAnne Van Horne, Northern Ontario Curling Association Club Delegate had previously shared with The Bulletin, “We’re going to videotape it and submit it to Curling Canada, and we have a chance to win $5000 for our club.”
Table-top curling games and a curling trivia contest were also part of the day’s activities.
Asked her thoughts on the event, Van Horne said, “Well, I have to say I’m quite surprised at the turnout today. We’ve got more new curlers than I’ve ever seen before in our club and experienced curlers coming in and our experienced curlers are teaching the new folks how to curl and that’s how we’re going to keep this sport alive.”
“Curling is fun. It’s a sport you can do until you’re 100 years old, and it’s just a real team sport,” she said, adding, “It’s family fun. My plan is to grow this event, keep adding to it, and get into the schools and get the kids curling and get more adults out curling too.”
Dori Hopko, a regular curler, commented of the event, “I think it’s a great event to host. It allows people who are new to the community to come and give it a whirl. We’re always looking for more curlers for our curling season and it’s a nice opportunity to give the game a try. We’ve had a variety of children and moms and dads come out and supporting the event.”
It was the first time curling for Komal Shah, who recently moved to Sioux Lookout.
“I think being a first time curler, I guess your thigh muscle must be strong so you can push yourself harder and then slide,” she said, adding that the day was a lot of fun.
Melissa Salo and her husband Jon attended the event with their children.
She shared, “The kids enjoy going out to see family and friends play and we want to encourage sports and activities for the kids and family. Today was an amazing opportunity to do so. The volunteers put together a great event which allowed the kids a chance to get out curling for their first time. They had a blast and we think it is a amazing start to keeping their interest in the sport of curling. The kids’ favorite part was “throwing the rocks”.”
Van Horne concluded, “SLGCC thanks all who came out to make Curling Day in Canada a success. Thanks to the volunteers who prepped the ice, helped with instruction, and provided some fun curling games and trivia.  Thanks to The Hub for the coffee to start our day.  It was fantastic to see so many future curlers!”