A Love Letter To Curling

CALGARY—On so many occasions, this sport has made me crazy. I question why I do it, I want to pull my hair out. 

I’ve cried. I’ve raged.

I wouldn’t change a thing.

For as long as I can remember, curling has been part of my life. When I was a kid, one of my earliest memories is putting one foot in each hack and heaving the rock (which weighed more than me) as hard as I could, with my dad there to sweep/kick it down the sheet.

I played just about every sport growing up (an old email address started with “sports_OCD”).

I was heavily into competitive dance until university, but I’ve always been a curling nerd. I followed my dad around rural Manitoba for 8:00 a.m. games, and when I told him I wanted to come he looked at me like I was nuts. 

But I ate it up.

My parents tell a story about mom taking me out to Morden, Man. on a Greyhound bus to watch my dad play in provincials when I was about four years old. 

I sat silently for three hours and watched the game; didn’t let out a peep. I loved it.

In 1992, my dad was playing in provincials in Winnipeg. He played against my Uncle Bill (also a Brier champ, in 1979) in the B-side and my sister and I, along with my cousins, were there to watch. My father won the game, and then my mom told me I’d be going home while she stayed to watch the final. 

I told her I didn’t want to go home, I wanted to watch.

And watch I did… they would win their first Tankard that day, and I was hooked.

The Brier was in Regina, and my sister and I stayed at my Baba and Gido’s house while my parents were there. They finished first after the round robin which, at the time, got you a bye straight to the final. 

My mom called her parents to say “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they might actually win … so you better bring the kids here.” We hit the road and made it to Regina in time for the final.

Watching my dad win the Brier is among my best memories of all time. I knew then that it was something I wanted to do.

I was incredibly fortunate that I not only got to follow in his footsteps, but in 2019, I won the Scotties with him as our coach. 

That will forever be my absolute favourite memory.

I want to say curling has changed my life, but in reality, it’s molded my life. It’s been my job, my focus and my passion.

I’ve met some of my best friends through the game. I’ve travelled the world. I’ve played on television and in front of packed arenas. And best of all, I had the privilege of wearing the Maple Leaf on my back.

I’m humbled by the opportunities I’ve had because of this incredible game, and I’m so grateful.

Obviously, I’m biased here, but it’s also the best community around. From players to fans to media, it’s just a wonderful group of humans and I feel very lucky to be part of it.

For me, the wins are obviously amazing and will always stand out, but it’s the entire experience of a life in curling that I’m most thankful for. Even on days where I don’t feel like practicing, there’s always a sense of comfort and solitude that comes over me at the club.

The sound of a rock gliding over the pebble in a quiet rink will always make me feel that I’m home.

On Curling Day in Canada, I want to say thank you to the game that raised me and made me who I am.