Canada Curling A New Experience!

Since the Winter Olympics are over, Keith and I have had a major curling withdraw! That is one of our favorite sports to watch in the Olympics and the American sibling duo had us rooting for them from the start. Keith even has future plans to be on the Olympic team eventually. He claims, due to age, it is one of the only sports he has a chance to compete in. I think there is a little more too it then just pushing a rock down the ice and knowing how to sweep. After our trip to the Canadian Under 18 curling championship, Keith might think there is more to it too. It was intense! And cold! Very cold! If you are ever planning on going to any curling match , make sure you dress warm, like Parka and blanket warm! Thankfully we still had blankets and heavy jackets in the car from winter.  Anyway, curling.... the Lane was way bigger then I thought! Getting a smooth, 44 pound rock down 150 feet takes strength. Getting that rock to slide that length and turn at just the right moment takes skill. Knowing how and when to sweep vigorously or not also takes skill! (The sweeping part might be the part Keith needs practice on! So anytime you want, Keith, my kitchen is available for practice!) It amazed me that just a little push could go so far!

Did you know that, before a match, they smooth the ice with a mini Zamboni, then they sprinkle water on the ice to create small bubbles that help reduce friction. Then the whole point of the sweeping is to heat up those bubbles just enough to melt it a tad, so the rock will glide over them very smooth. When they sweep hard, the more heat is produced and the more speed the rock will glide with. The less they sweep it will slow the rock down.  Interesting right?!?

It was very hard not to get caught up in the excitement of the game. For one, yelling and cheering kept you warm and kept your teeth from chattering. But this was the under 18 Championships, all the parents and fans knew these kids. All the horns, moose calls, and cow bells just added to the excitement. We were adopted into the Alberta cheering section, mainly because that is where we could find seats. Our family cheered loud for kids we didn't even know, but we now know their parents, so cheering it was! Go Alberta! We apparently became their good luck charms, because they asked if we would come to all the matches. Fun stuff! 

It was fun to learn a new game and a new to us culture. It also helped us get a fix on our Curling withdraw! Here are some pictures of our day!