Curling don’t knock it till you rock it

Canada’s other winter game

Steve Bohrn Staff

Brad Gushue. Kevin Martin. Colleen Jones. Shannon Kleibrink. These are only a few household names in one of Canada’s favourite winter activities, and no, it’s not hockey, it’s that “other” game that’s played on ice. It’s curling. It’s wildly popular with many Canadians, and yet for some reason, its status as a sport is constantly in question.

Those of you naysayers claim that curling is not a sport because there is no body contact, no end-to-end action. You have one thing right there. Curling may not be the sexiest sport in the traditional sense; in fact, it may seem downright boring to the uninformed. I mean, what could be exciting about watching eight people take turns throwing rocks down the ice?

Consider for a minute all the elements that go into throwing that rock. Great physical coordination is required to throw the rock at the right speed with the right curl in order to achieve the desired effect. Great knowledge of the ice, the rocks and your team is required to have success.

Some people will say that curling is not a physically demanding sport. These people have obviously never curled 10 ends once, twice, or even three times in a day and then had to wake up the next morning and go to school or work. I’m telling you, hell hath no fury like the pain that resides where your muscles used to be.

Many who claim that curling is not a sport say that it is an easy game to play. It doesn’t require that you undergo any special physical conditioning or even that you be in shape. You can play when you are five or 95, they say.

Curling is just like any other semi-professional sport. Athletes train for long hours both on the ice and in the gym. Just like hockey or baseball, you can play with very little practice, but if you do, you will not be very good. Huge sacrifices are made by the players in order to be the best they can be.

And to address the argument that curling is not very exciting: curling offers a different kind of excitement. Each rock builds anticipation and causes the players to take a completely different outlook on how the end is played. It all culminates in the final stone, which can be so difficult and important to the game that one tiny mistake can mean the loss of several points — and the game.

Unlike hockey and football, where general strategies will win or lose games, it’s the little details, like how much weight you throw, where the guards are positioned and how much ice you take, that will decide who will be the victor and who will go home without the spoils in curling.

So the next time you open your mouth to bash curling, stop and think. Maybe there is something underneath that seemingly boring exterior. Something that has seen curling grow from somewhat of a cult sport to one that rivals hockey in some areas for winter sport supremacy. Play a few times and then tell me it is not a sport.