Mixing it up in curling
Making its Winter Olympics debut next year in South Korea, mixed doubles curling is catching on locally
There is a new trend sweeping the curling world (pun intended).
Mixed doubles curling is a relatively new sport that is slowly catching on and is now being played in at least two area rinks. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2018 Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea.
The Ennismore Curling Club started a league this season and so far has six teams playing on Tuesday nights. The Lakefield Curling Club also started a Tuesday night league this season and has nine teams. Both clubs are looking for more teams and to encourage growth they are not requiring teams to be mixed. Two men or two women can also join as a team. Five of the six in Ennismore and eight of the nine in Lakefield are mixed.
Mixed doubles turns the traditional four-member team, eightrock game on its head. Each team has only six stones and two players. One of the stones is prepositioned on the centre line before every end. One player delivers the first and last rocks of the end while the other throws the second, third and fourth. Teams can choose to have a sweeper instead of a skip holding the broom so that both team members can sweep.
“It’s a faster, shorter and more active version of the sport,” said Ennismore CC member Pam Sinclair, “which appeals to some young players. They might not be willing to commit the two hours required to play the traditional game or to find three additional team members.”
Joe Kapron, convener of the Lakefield league, has curled for more than 30 years and started mixed doubles with his wife Linda this year. He says doubles may be more appealing to new curlers.
“Some people are interested in curling but can’t get a four-person team together,” he said.
“In this case you only have to find one person. There are teams that go into the playdowns to go to nationals and worlds. Without a league to play in they have to find time to practice. If there are leagues in the area where we can attract some of those teams it would help the clubs but it also helps those teams.”
Kathy Reid curled as a junior and returned to the sport 15 years ago when her husband Dave retired from the NHL and they settled in Ennismore. This is her first year trying doubles with partner Mike Deschenes.
“I really like it,” Reid said. “You end up with a lot of rocks in play. You start with rocks set up and then you are not allowed to remove rocks until the fourth throwing rock. It’s a lot of taps and draws and requires a different set of skills than what you might often do traditionally.
“You’re always moving and it’s a very quick game. I think that’s what they were trying to get out of doubles to bring in a younger crowd,” Reid said.
“The kids, if they are not involved in the strategy end of the game, get standing around and kind of get lost in it waiting for their turn. This way you are always working with your partner and are involved in the strategy.”
Ben and Laura Carnochan spearheaded the effort to get it going in Ennismore and are serving as instructors for newcomers. Ben Carnochan said the speed of the game is a big appeal. A game can be played in less than 90 minutes.
“You are both more involved in the strategy,” he said. “Usually a lead and a second aren’t too involved in the strategy, it’s more about the vice and the skip.”
“It’s a quicker game,” Laura Carnochan said, “so with my husband and I having a young child it’s easier to just get out for 90 minutes rather than a two-plus hour game.” It’s a different strategy.
“Right away you’re looking to control the button area where in regular curling you’re looking to get your two corner guards and look for two points. Here you’re looking right away to go to that centre. The people we’ve brought out seem to really enjoy it and catch on. The first game is a big learning curve because you’re used to the traditional game. Once you’ve played a few ends and remember what order you are curling in it’s not too bad.”
The first annual World Mixed Doubles Curling Championship was held in 2008. Traditionally noncurling nations such as Hungary and Spain have medalled at the event.
“It took considerable time for Canada to get serious about this new spin on an old sport,” said Sinclair. “It was only when mixed doubles was added to the 2018 Winter Olympics that interest percolated first amongst Canada’s pro athletes.”
The inaugural Canadian Mixed Doubles Olympic Trials will be held Jan. 2 to 7 in Portage la Prairie, Man. with 18 teams, including one with Peterborough native John Epping.
Kapron said Lakefield tried starting a league three years ago without any luck.
“We thought we’d try it again and it’s starting to take off,” he said.
“I think once people see it in the Olympics that will make it more popular,” said Ben Carnochan. “I don’t think it’s going to be a fad.”
Lakefield is holding an open house on Jan. 2 at 6:30 p.m. for anyone interested in trying doubles. For further information contact Kapron at 705-740-9287 or email joe.kapron@ cogeco.ca. To join in Ennismore contact the club at 705-292-5200 or email benjamincarnochan@ gmail.com.