Stick curling — a variation of curling that has players use a stick that attaches to the handle of the curling rock — continues to gain traction in P.E.I.
“We are doing pretty good for the little old Island, we do damn good,” said stick curler Bob Leard from Montague. “It’s great exercise for us older guys who like to curl.”
“To stick curl is just as hard as to regular curl, because as … you have to think all the way through the game. It’s a two-man team and that’s it. I feel that it’s more of a challenge,” he said.
‘The competitive part is a bonus’
This week, stick curling teams from Alberton, O’Leary, Cornwall and Montague all met in Montague for a one hour game.
“We have some teams that are quite competitive and we’ve won Maritimes championships and actually won a national championship,” said Ernie Stavert, president of Stick Curling P.E.I.
“The purpose is to keep people in the game as a recreation, but the competitive part is a bonus.”
More players wanted
The number of people playing the sport on P.E.I. has been increasing slowly over the years, but the numbers fluctuate year over year at the different curling clubs.
Cornwall always seems to come out on top, with the number of stick curlers increasing steadily.
The popularity of stick curling continues to grow in P.E.I. (Randy McAndrew/CBC)
“Hopefully it will increase as people age, and try to stay active. Hopefully there’s a positive future for stick curling.”