Another Victory

First, I have to congratulate the Ottawa Curling Club crew of Rachel Homan, Emma Miskew, Laura Crocker and Lynn Kreviazuk (Rachel and Lynn two of our instructors).

Great news for our program...there is going to be a curling bonspiel for the different first year curlers in the city in April, 4 or 5 clubs. A real chance to showcase our talents and a chance for our instructors to compare their coaching abilities....bragging rights are at stake. There is only room for 16 teams to take part and there are at least 3 teams from our club wanting to take part.

It was a good showing for our team...Ashley, Daniel and Rob. Right out of the gates we (I think) seemed to be in control of the game and stuck to the game plan. Both teams did a good job of trying different and making shots to force better shots from the others. We all managed to make some great shots...we just made them a few more times.


At the start I had some balance issues, fell flat on my face when I threw my first rock. Since I started throwing with a broom and not the stabilizer I have been struggling. Went back to the stabilizer in the middle of the game and issues seemed to be resolved. It's a lot easier and less to think about. Thanks for the advice Kiley!

Nothing really funny happened in our game....anyone else?

Glen's triumphant return

Missing for 6 weeks, Glen made his return and we lumped him into skipping. For the second week in a row it was a emotional struggle, add some communication confusion and my ability to make the shots - it was a recipe for near disaster.

Being able to read the ice - I was a non believer at the onset of my so-called curling career. NOT ANY MORE...one way is faster than the other, the rock does curl differently depending the line you choose and you have to know when it runs straight. As I am told, only more experience on the ice will make it better. Unfortunately, with so much of my time taken up with work and other stuff, not sure when I can find the time. Maybe I'll try to convince my boss to let me take a couple of days off each week, shouldn't be difficult considering who I work for...not holding my breath!

We were not the poster kids of fast play last night....25 min an end. We struggled to keep play moving only because we (both teams) over thought and over analyzed each shot. Something that I think most of the teams need to work on. We should get faster with time.

Now getting to the action ...there were 2 incidents or plays last night that were extremely noteworthy. First, the Big Fall - not to make fun but to point out the danger this sport posses - Glen was sliding down the sheet to prepare for his shot when I called out his name. When he started to look around to acknowledge me, his feet and head changed positions....feet went up - head went down. I lost my balance laughing...maybe I can make a little fun as it was my first reaction ...then concern.

The second incident involved the greatest cross house double takeout by Rob. Ashley and I can take 2% of the credit for sweeping. It was the "TSN turning point." It was a beautifully poetic motion. We erupted in celebration....so loud that the other games stopped and took notice. The only think I can compare it to is a great shot by a first time golfer that they talk about for the next year and the one that gets them back on the course. Superb!

Rob did turn to me and told me the secret of making the shot..."keep your eyes closed the entire time."

Ohhhh, I forgot.....we won too! Beers on us.

Almost the greatest comeback in the history of Tues nights

It was a tough night of curling. We started with hope and confidence. By the end of the first end, they stole 3 and we were stunned!

Our initial tactic was simple....through up a guard or two and get some stones the house. What a disaster! We couldn't figure out how fast the ice was or how much it was going to curl. Not to mention Cameron and his team threw some great shots.

I went straight for the bar....I can't even remember the 2nd end, but I am sure they got another point. Then they got 2 more in the 3rd or forth. SH@#!!!! Losing 6-0 just like that.

However, in the 5 end our tactic changed - through everything into the house and try to sort it out later. It worked. I was looking at scoring 5 if I could draw around 2 guards and hold it in house. Unfortunately, I rubbed the guard and it touched Daniel's foot then came to rest inside the 12foot, we were credited 3...it started our comeback. Our spirits lifted. We blanked 6th end....leaving all the marbles on the table for the final end (we only had time to play 7 ends).

Still trying to get as many rocks in the house as possible. We filled the house and the front was filled with guards. We were counting 4 and I had two attempts to put up a guard. I, of course, missed...but only just. I ended up knocking one of their stones in, we are now looking at 3. It looks like we are going to tie. Not bad, down 6-0, we were looking at 6-6...there was no way Cameron was going to pull off anything with his last shot.

WRONG - Another great shot Cameron...my congratulations. It came to rest inside 2 of my 4 stones.

Final score 6-5....almost the greatest comeback in the history of Tues night league!

2010...a new beginning

Happy New Year everyone.

We started off things right this year, new diet, more exercise and more curling.

Maybe I'll start the diet next week, need a couple of weeks off cause I'm sore from working out....more curling - got it covered!

Now that we are playing full games, I am much more excited making the 30min trek from my house to downtown Ottawa. Fighting the snow, traffic and idiot drivers, I found myself yelling HURRY! to a car in front of me because I was running a little late. I wanted to sweep him right off the road, the jerk.

It is great now, playing games! We get to choose our position (lead, 2nd etc) by putting a little peg with our name on it in the position we want to play which is linked to a sheet and rock color. So, all the teams are random. Our team didn't fair too well, we lost. Don't want to bore you with the excuses either. It is becoming easier to see a separation in the skill levels of individuals now. Understanding of game tactics, how much a rock curls, and possibly the most important...being able to control your throwing weight.

On a slightly different note: We (CCA) had a camera crew come this past week to shoot some curling footage for an upcoming YouTube commercial for the StartCurling.ca , HurryHard! commercials (check it out startcurling.ca) you may have seen on television. There will be a contest asking people to send in their own Hurry or Hard video. As soon as it is posted, I will send out the link. (sorry Anna, I wish you could have made it)

After the crew had left, I was asked to play for a team in an actual league of experienced curlers...thrilled at first, nervous the rest of the time. Will my teammates think 'oh great he has to throw again' or 'he sucks'. In fact it was the opposite, they were understanding and accepting that I was a beginner and may not be as accurate in my shots. Thanks for the help Lisa, Darren, and Robyn!!!!!

Sweeping, I had no problems. As the lead, my job was to mainly throw guards. I made a few, threw a couple through the house and hogged one (must have picked something on the ice). I even made a couple of take outs that were supposed to be guards...maybe the skip called it wrong. However, I made enough of positive impression that I now on the spare list....a polite way of being asked to play when the team has no one else.....BUT I'M THERE!

Should I buy my own broom? Hmmmmmm

Paul