I started curling in the mid 60’s when I was 6 years old as a way to stay out of my mothers hair. She worked at Mcpherson Curling Center in Burnaby BC in the office, and they didn’t have daycare in those days. As long as my sister and me were out of her hair there was peace in our world. We had two floors of ice to play on so we could throw rocks all day long and not bother anybody it was great. We got to play in curling land and became pretty good curlers.
I had been drafted into the Men’s League , and BC Telephone League at 13 years old and got to play with the grown ups it was heaven. There were some perk’s to knowing the owner of the curling center as we were able to pick through the seasonal broom stock when it arrived to find the perfect brooms for sweeping, ( you know even inverted straws, nice whip swing, nice weight). I still think if I had one of those old straw brooms and I could hold a “cutter rock” straighter another 20ft. than the push brooms we use now. But back to my story, On my 14th birthday the owner offered me a “Rink Rat” job and even though I was under age I took it, It was tough sometimes curling six leagues and making curling ice, but it kept me out of trouble. Looking back it was the best and happiest time to be alive. I had 12 years of good times behind the scenes and learned a lot about the magic of making curling ice. We played on larger round pebble back then and now its small blotchy pebble that needs to be “nibbed” to level the ice . I know the rocks cut harder now than before. Being a “Rink Rat” we had 12 sheets to take care of so we would finish the down stairs sheets at 11;30 pm and have a couple of hours to kill before the hockey rentals would be finished so we could close up the building. So we would invent curling games to play while we waited. As Both me and Herb were pretty good throwing of our rock weight and our favourite game was called “Big Shooter” which is basically match play on ice. We used a couple of targets (“Silent Skips”) we would place on the “T” line and the object of the game was to make points. As each end was a individual game we would bet quarters per end with side bets and “Presses” if you were down a couple of games. It was a four rock per player shot, and we played four ends. There was no sweeping, no take outs and all rocks must stay in the house, lots of raises. If you played half decent and picked up a couple of side bets you made yourself enough money for a “Deluxe” hamburger for dinner on the next shift. As there was a third floor where the members lounge was we would draw a bit of a crowd watching us play, (found out later some of the members were betting on us and winning). I found this out when we would have a free hamburger and fries at the snack bar paid for by a happy club member. We had a lot of fun in those days and I am thankful for getting to experience those days. I started curling again 4 years ago and its been a real awakening of a love I had put on the back shelf. It is way different driving hard out of the hack, slides still the same, and the rocks seem to dull quicker and turn in harder. Sweeping is a lot harder now than with the old corn broom, but there is nothing better than the feeling of a big push out of the hack, counting to the hog line and letting the shot go and watching her glide turn and gently stop where skip has called the shot and you get the broom in the air salute . Even if it needs a touch “of the sweep”.
My only regret it took too many years to revisit with my old friend. I know curl out of the Kelowna Curling Club they have a great membership and I have lots of “Silent Skip”s so Mr. Gushue I got a quarter with your name on it, wanna kick an old guys ass. (Just Playin- maybe) Give Jock a call he will let me know.