The Frozen Watersport: Curling
Here’s Your Chance To Learn This Hot Sport

The Coyotes Curling Club has just hosted its fifth annual Desert
Ice Bonspiel. The term “bonspiel” comes from the term “bon” for good, and “spiel” which means game or match.

On April 25, 26, and 27, 24 teams from across Canada and the United States took part in the three-day event. The curling “draws” or games were open to watch by anyone interested in learning more about curling or just a fan of the game.

There were many of the Coyotes Curling Club representatives and other curlers from around North America on hand to answer questions. The Opening Ceremonies, steeped in tradition, were also open to the public.

The Coyotes Curling Club will be holding a learn-to-curl clinic on Sunday, May 4 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., which precedes their six-week Spring League that also begins May 4 — at 5:30 p.m.

The clinic and curling league are open to people of all ages interested in experiencing the thrill of curling. Curling debuted as an official medal sport at the 1998 Olympics in Nagano, Japan, and has gained unprecedented interest and growth
steadily since its debut.

It is again looking to be a major draw for the upcoming 2010 Winter Olympics being held in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The non-profit Coyotes Curling Club made its successful debut in Arizona after the 2002 Winter Olympics and continues to be a positive addition to the community in which it serves.

The clinic and league curling will be held at the Alltel Ice Den located at 9375 East Bell Road, Scottsdale, Ariz., and will include a 45-minute off-ice instruction covering topics such as history, strategy, and game play.

The club’s USCA instructors will be on hand throughout the event to provide the training and to answer questions about the 500-year-old sport of curling.

Curling is a sport for all ages and abilities. Similar to golf in many aspects, it is a lifetime activity that men, women, and children can play and enjoy together.

Beginners can receive instruction, practice the basics, and take to the ice for a game after their first hour of participation.

But, much like the other Scottish sport — golf — players can compete for years and continue to learn and hone their skills out on the ice.

Those planning on attending can get their registration form online at
www.coyotescurling.com. Students are asked to wear comfortable, loose-fitting clothing (such as a jogging suit/pants, etc.) and clean rubber-soled shoes that have not been worn outside.

Wearing a couple of layers will allow you to adjust accordingly as you go from less-active instruction in the ice rink to full participation. The club will provide
all other equipment needed to participate.

Whether you come to play or just to watch and learn, you’ll get an insider’s view of curling that will help you better understand the all of the action. For instance, you’ll discover:


• what all that sweeping is about,
• the difference between a hack and a hog line,
• why an end isn’t necessarily “The End,”
• how easy it really is to slide a 42-pound rock down the ice,
• the meaning of “Hurry Hard!”,
• why it’s desirable to throw rocks at the house, and
•  finally, how you score in this sport.

For more information about the Learn-to-Curl clinic or the Coyotes
Curling Club in general, contact club President Darryl Horsman at
theskip@coyotescurling.com. More information about curling is also
available at www.usacurl.org