Lauren Summers lets go of her rock at the Elks Junior Bonspiel in March at the Osoyoos International Curling Club. The club is about to embark on another busy season of action with junior, women’s, men’s and daytime leagues scheduled to begin during the first week of October. A Learn to Curl program will also be offered in late September and early October. Club president John Katerenchuk is confident it will be another great year for curling in Osoyoos. (Richard McGuire file photo)
The Osoyoos International Curling Club is about to become a home away from home for more than 150 Osoyoos and area residents, as the new curling season is right around the corner.
“It’s a fun sport and it really does give you something to do during the long winter months,” said club president John Katerenchuk. “The social aspect of curling also appeals to a lot of people because you get to meet so many good people.
“It’s fun to get on the ice and play and then gather after the game and tell a few lies about how well you played and share some laughs.”
The various leagues – including men’s, juniors, mixed, ladies and daytime – begin the week of October 14.
The men’s league takes place on Tuesday evening, juniors play Tuesday afternoon, the mixed league takes place on Wednesday evenings, the ladies league plays on Thursday evening and the daytime league takes place on Monday and Thursday afternoon.
There will be registration nights and free practice ice for all members every evening from Tuesday, Oct. 7 until Thursday, Oct. 9. The club’s annual general meeting will take place the evening of October 9 starting at 7 p.m.
Katerenchuk is hoping the club’s membership will continue at approximately 175 for the upcoming curling season.
“That’s a really solid number that allows all of our leagues to have good numbers and hopefully we’ll be able to reach that and maybe even a few more this season,” he said.
Free Learn to Curl instruction programs for beginners and intermediate adults of all ages will return for the second year, said Katerenchuk. Several veteran curlers will lead the Learn to Curl classes. The classes will be offered to beginners on September 29 and 30 from 7-9 p.m. and October 1 and 2 for intermediate from 7-9 p.m. Anyone wishing to participate in the Learn to Curl lessons should contact Betty Steinbart at 250-495-8166 to register.
Starting in early November, the Osoyoos club will be introducing the sport of stick curling for the first time, said Katerenchuk.
Stick Curling consists of two players on each team and there is no sweeping or brushing between the hog lines, he said. Players use a special “curling stick” to propel the rocks.
“It’s a form of curling that is gaining in popularity for those who have bad backs or limited mobility either due to age or injury,” said Katerenchuk. “It has become extremely popular at many clubs, including the club in Summerland, and we’re going to try it out at our club during the month of November and see what kind of reaction we get.”
You can contact the club at 250-495-7733.
KEITH LACEY
Osoyoos Times
