Curling season heads straight for Burns Lake

The Burns Lake Curling Club ramps it up for the 2009 - 2010 season

Reportedly brought to Canada by Scottish emigrants in 1760, curling has now become a Canadian staple sport.

Some of the earliest graphic records of a game similar to curling date back to 1565 in an oil painting by the Dutch master Pieter Bruegel the elder entitled “Winter Landscape with a Birdtrap”

While the games exact birth place remains a mystery, the sport of curling firmly has its roots planted in the rinks of Canadian cities and towns.

The Burns Lake Curling Club has thrown open its doors once again to beginners and experts alike with the start of the official curling season now underway.

An after school junior program aimed at youth aged 10 years and above will run from Nov. 1 2009 until March 15 2009 on Monday afternoons from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm. These classes are taught by an experienced qualified junior coach.

A curling basics for beginners class was also held last weekend aimed at getting those less skilled out on the rink to learn the skills necessary to join a local team.

Ladies competitions will be held on Tuesdays nights from 7:00 pm and the mens competition will be Wednesday nights at 7:00 pm.

There are also drop in sessions available for those less competitive and wishing to meet new friends, get some healthy exercise and have fun.

Seniors drop in for ages 50 years and over are held on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 10:00 am while a mixed drop in night will be held on Friday nights from 7:00 pm.

All curling events begin the first week of November.

Burns Lake Curling Club president Gerald Eckland is wanting more people to come out and support the curling club this year.

“You don’t have to be an expert to play, you come and play to have fun,” he said.

A group of six local volunteers has spent several weeks getting the ice up to standard and ready for the curling season.

“Last year we had approximately 140 members, including juniors and seniors,” he said.

“This year we would like to aim higher,” Eckland added.

“We encourage and welcome anyone that wants to play and wants to learn,” he said.

According to Eckland there is equipment to loan from the club until players get themselves established.

“All you need is a broom, some grippers for your feet, a slider and clean new running shoes,” Eckland said.

There will be a B.C. Club Challenge held in Burns Lake from March 26 to 28, 2010.

For more information regarding the juniors curling classes phone Nancy on 250-692-4249, Ladies curling phone Carolyn on 250-692-7326.

Seniors that wish to drop in can call Gene on 250-695-6526.

The mens competition contact is Dave and he can be reached at 250-691-1596 and the mixed drop in contact is Christy, phone 250-698-7947.

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