I have to apologize that there is no video or pix....camera broke in my bag on the way.
Last night started the same as the other 2 weeks. We gathered in the viewing area for a few minutes of stretching and warming up. After the crack of joints and moan of unwilling muscles we were off to cool our sliders. We got right into practicing out deliveries. Seemed like I lost some the comfort level I had from the week before, but after a few basic refreshers about balance and foot position my confidence returned.
Our instructor, Erin Morrisey, former Jr National player and Western University Skip, lead us through a series of new techniques that focused on shifting our weight when in the hack. She explained that if we could get a comfortable rhythm of "rock back weight back, pause, rock forward weight forward" our deliveries would become more powerful and consistent. I thought I was 'ok' at it til I starting chanting, first aloud (like a few other people around me), then in my head. After a few more practice slides using either a stabilizer or another rock to help with balance, we were challenged to slide with a broom in our non-sliding hand. What a disaster. BRING BACK MY STABILIZER. They did. It's turning into my childhood blankie.
Erin pointed out a couple small issues with the alignment of my sliding foot and rock, but I generally had pretty good technique. It seems that I am hanging the rock a little to the right which forces me to either pitch my upper body more left or lean too much on the rock. balance balance balance and more practice of course.
My new curling buddy, Glenn and I will be meeting this Friday to practice.
Anyone out there know a technique to help straighten me out?
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Week 2 - our first real deliveries
What a great night, we got to start throwing rocks like real curlers. Noticed I used the word 'like' and not the phrase 'same as'. I am a long way from that. Lisa, our instructor for the night, was great. She described the techniques for delivering rocks, demoed, then we practiced. The one-on-one teaching is invaluable!
Our group, on sheet 1 consisted of a few younger pups like me and few seasoned people. There were 4 other groups on other sheets going through the same drills. We all joked about who would be the first to fall and have to wear a 
helmet for the rest of the evening. Luckily, fear of the helmet and pain kept us upright for the nearly an hour of progressive balancing and sliding drills. Watching the other groups...several minor falls were echoed with laughter and "Can I try that again?". As we went through the drills, we were using 2 stabilizers to slide out of the hack, Lisa asked to lift out throwing hand to prove we had the proper balance. After a couple people made their attempts, our group got a little over confident so we started lifting both hands or did some other variations of what we were asked to do. Finally it happened. A gentlemen, who was fairly technically sound to this point (an obvious x-curler) dazzled us with a baton-like twirl move with the stabilizer....we cheered. When he stood up to relish in the awe of us, his adoring fans, he went ass-over-tea-kettle. Both legs left the ice and stabilizers went flying. After a second of panic, 3 instructors sprinting over to check him and him trying to get back to his feet before pretending that no one saw..... we all split a gut! Wish I got it on video.
helmet for the rest of the evening. Luckily, fear of the helmet and pain kept us upright for the nearly an hour of progressive balancing and sliding drills. Watching the other groups...several minor falls were echoed with laughter and "Can I try that again?". As we went through the drills, we were using 2 stabilizers to slide out of the hack, Lisa asked to lift out throwing hand to prove we had the proper balance. After a couple people made their attempts, our group got a little over confident so we started lifting both hands or did some other variations of what we were asked to do. Finally it happened. A gentlemen, who was fairly technically sound to this point (an obvious x-curler) dazzled us with a baton-like twirl move with the stabilizer....we cheered. When he stood up to relish in the awe of us, his adoring fans, he went ass-over-tea-kettle. Both legs left the ice and stabilizers went flying. After a second of panic, 3 instructors sprinting over to check him and him trying to get back to his feet before pretending that no one saw..... we all split a gut! Wish I got it on video.Here are a few videos of the progress.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
My first night of curling
So last night was the inaugural night of curling. First thing I have to say is people were so friendly.
When I arrived, I was greeted, fitted for a pair of specialized curling shoes, ushered into the lounge and introduced to a couple of other newbies. After a few minutes of meeting and greeting, about 30 of us (ages 20's to 50's) gathered on the top floor for a short 45min overview of the basics of the ice, curling etiquette and meeting our instructors. THEN out on the ice we went....
We started slow...good thing it is surprisingly hard to stand on a slider. We were asked to slide around a little, bent down in the ready position and tried to extend into a lunge....my only thought was 'Bambi on ice'. Half of us fell.....everybody laughed. We got a chance to practice a few more times then tried sweeping. Finally we got to practice pushing out of the hack in an attempt to do a proper curling slide. We had instructors with us giving individual help and pointers. There were many falls and lots of laughs but no injuries other than a little pride and some bruised knees.
A couple of quick points: its harder than it looks and this is going to get me better shape. Ottawa Curling Club is a great building and the people are fabulous.
Such a fun night!!!!!!
Can't wait til next Tuesday
When I arrived, I was greeted, fitted for a pair of specialized curling shoes, ushered into the lounge and introduced to a couple of other newbies. After a few minutes of meeting and greeting, about 30 of us (ages 20's to 50's) gathered on the top floor for a short 45min overview of the basics of the ice, curling etiquette and meeting our instructors. THEN out on the ice we went....
We started slow...good thing it is surprisingly hard to stand on a slider. We were asked to slide around a little, bent down in the ready position and tried to extend into a lunge....my only thought was 'Bambi on ice'. Half of us fell.....everybody laughed. We got a chance to practice a few more times then tried sweeping. Finally we got to practice pushing out of the hack in an attempt to do a proper curling slide. We had instructors with us giving individual help and pointers. There were many falls and lots of laughs but no injuries other than a little pride and some bruised knees.
A couple of quick points: its harder than it looks and this is going to get me better shape. Ottawa Curling Club is a great building and the people are fabulous.
Such a fun night!!!!!!
Can't wait til next Tuesday
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
