Curling - Not what you think

I usually enjoy team building events that our work puts on quarterly for our department.  In the past, events like Paint-ball (outside better than inside), softball, bowling and D-Back games have all exceeded my expectations!  I didn't really know what to expect in the game you've seen on the Winter Olympics...Shuffleboard...err Curling!

Play and strategy of the game is similar and scoring is easy... per Darryl at the Coyotes Ice Den, (http://www.coyotescurling.com) said the Scottish (invented game, allegedly) kept the game simple.  It truly is a game for all ages; kids can play as can grandparents!  If you are with your Mates or Lassies (That's for you Russ), it can be a a pleasant time with good fun before and after the game.  Since it is a Scottish game, libations are definitely on the agenda before a game (newbie, don't have one and listen), but you definitely must have one or several after the game.  Tradition says you enjoy some drinks with your opponents and tell grand Curling stories or whatever the topic could be!!!

Pretty much you start off like a race track except there's a great twist.  There is the post or starting block where you put one of your feet.  You then either step on what appears to be a flattened shoe sole that has tread on one side and a flat material on the other.  Your other foot steps on this fun piece of rubber... My advice, keep your balance.  You then  have a broom and your stone (only available for purchase from 2 sources in world) made of granite. The push basically comes from your leg push and you just give the stone a twist or curl.  After that its closest stone to the button (center of bulls eye) and you score.

Starting off the block was the hardest part.  Pretty much gotta be crouched down and balanced and then basically move all of you with your leg.  Keeping your balance is a fun thing to do, don't get down on yourself if your leg slips out from underneath you.  It happens to everyone.  After that you only get better and more confident (repetition) and the "Ends" flow smoothly.

We decided to stay for a little bit after the game to just hang out and relax before heading home.  The instructors invited us over to a table to share a few malted beverages.  The company was pleasant and we talked about...what else... Curling and some its history.  Carrol was an instructor I didn't have, but talked with extensively.  From a Pub Crawl to Curling Club events. In my opinion the event went off very well and everyone really enjoyed themselves.

A couple highlights... I looked like a bumbling idiot when we started learning the game especially at the starting block, but once the games started I felt and did pretty well.  During what was one of many sweeping turns, I upended myself and landed on my backside.  That was good fun, but no damage visible.  I feel like I got a good workout as well.  So I may feel some of that tomorrow, but its good right now!

All I can say is go check it out, try it at least once and stick around the bar/restaurant area for those you played with... You just might get a good surprise!

Thanks again Darryl, Carrol, and Russ for the great experience!

For more information check out the following places:


www.coyotesice.com
www.coyotescurling.com
www.usacurl.org