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Curling program aims at sport growth

The Wetaskiwin Curling Club’s new Discover Curling program swept through the city’s first-time curlers population...
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June Boyda learns to slide and curl the rock during the first session of Discover Curling

The Wetaskiwin Curling Club’s new Discover Curling program swept through the city’s first-time curlers population with three times as many participants as expected.

Program coach Robyn Gerrard says Discover Curling is a program to help introduce new curlers to the sports as well as aid those who want to sharpen a few of their skills.

“We were going to run if we had just four people. We ended up with 12 responses,” said Gerrard.

No prior skills are required to participate and is open to any age. However, it is recommend for those 15 years old and up, as the Wetaskiwin Curling Club also offers and juniors program.

“We made it this year specifically because we find people aren’t going curling,” said Gerrard. She added it can be for a number of reasons, including they do not know how or they are afraid to try. Discover Curling looks to alleviate those concerns.

“Our goal is really just to get people to understand the program,” said Gerrard. Another goal is to provide exposure for the sport.

Discover Curling runs for four weeks and the first session took place Oct. 19.

The first lesson covered slide and release, the second teaches the draw, the third lesson teaches upweights (hits) and strategy and the final session will be an exhibition game.

“The idea is if they got a little exposure in the (Discover Curling) class they might want to join the open league,” said Gerrard. The Wetaskiwin Curling Club has an open league that runs Wednesdays for those who do not have another team to play on.

Gerrard says the program is popular enough the Wetaskiwin Curling Club will look at running it again after Christmas. For those who want to participate the best way to get involved is emailing the Wetaskiwin Curling Club: wetaskiwincurlingclub@gmail.com.

With the start up of the program Gerrard also made sure to thank everyone who has support the Wetaskiwin Curling Club, especially over the past two years as the club underwent many changes.