So, how many of you think of curling as a sport? An active pass-time? A good workout? Well let me tell you, I have recently learned that it is all of these things, and a whole lot of fun on top of it!
My husband and I recently decided to join a “Sunday Fun Night” Curling league to make sure we continued to get out of the house and do active things together over the winter. We’ve been contemplating it for a couple of years, and we finally took the plunge. He grew up curling, but hasn’t played in about 10 years. I, on the other hand, have never pulled on a gripper, or taken the time the learn about in and out-turns. But, off to the rink we went, and signed over our Sunday nights until March into the trusting and oh-so-friendly hands of the Golden Ears Winter Club.
We had a couple of weekends off before the league started… just enough time to contemplate what we had gotten ourselves into, and receive a very welcome gift of our very own brooms (mine’s bright pink, in case anyone cares). I decided that falling on my face in my first slide out of the hack would be rather embarassing if it happened in league play, so I signed myself up for a beginner’s learn to curl clinic, and was instantly addicted!
Last night was our first night of league play. The strategy was over my head (despite having watched a good deal of Kevin Martin and Johnny Morris over the years). My shots sometimes didn’t go where I wanted them to (okay, most of the time). I seemed to have trouble controlling how hard I throw the rock. But our teammates (and opponents) were awesomely friendly. I made a couple shots that were (almost) right. I got a fantastic workout from all the sweeping we did (and am ridiculously sore this morning). I got to try my hand at a new challenge, which I find always refreshes my passion for life. And…we won, which never hurts;)
Sunday Fun Night definitely lived up to its name! And it reminded me why I do stability work, and core strength, and all the other crazy things that we undertake in our gym-based lives. Sure, fitness is its own reward, but it also means that when you come across a wonderful, wacky new challenge like this, you can jump in head first, the way all new passions should be encountered.
