Written by: Josie Morwood and Brooklynn Steeves
Both of KCI’s curling teams have started off their season on a fantastic note! Before the winter break, the girls team represented KCI on the podium, placing third overall. The open co-ed team achieved fifth place overall out of ten competing teams. The Edge reached out to curling coach, Mr. Hallas and grade 12 player, Arabelle Hiebert, to learn more about the teams, how curling works as a sport, and how one might get involved next season.
What is Curling?
Curling is played on a specially prepared ice surface called a “sheet,” which is about 45 metres long and a maximum of five metres wide. On each end of the sheet, there are two circles that look like targets, which are known as houses. There are four players per team, eight 44-pound granite stones, brooms for sweeping, and special shoes for the ice.
The game is played by having both teams slide a heavy granite stone towards the house so they can score points. They score points by getting their stones closest to the centre, or the “button,” after all the stones have been thrown in an “end,” which is similar to a quarter or period in other sports. Each player provides a spin to the stone when they slide it, which causes the stones to curl as their teammates sweep in front to change the speed and track.
Teams can use sweeping strategically when aiming for draws (when a stone is thrown into the scoring zone), guards (blocking opponent's stones from the scoring area), or takeouts (removing opponent's stones from play). The team with the highest score after all ten “ends” wins.
Coach’s Outlook
When asked about his experience playing curling in the past, Coach Hallas had some interesting things to say about himself and his coaching partner, Coach Robbins. Coach Hallas was first introduced to the sport when he was quite young by his grandfather at the Burlington Curling Club. He then went on to play throughout high school, allowing him to have some first-hand knowledge for coaching the KCI teams. Coach Robbins currently plays at the Galt Curling Club, showing her love of the sport and helping her keep her curling skills sharp.
The Edge asked Coach Hallas about what he likes the most about coaching the KCI curling teams, and he responded, “I started coaching KCI curling back in 2015, so there is a lot to enjoy about coaching it.” He continued, “It looks so easy, but it is so hard to be good at. The strategy is deep and complicated, and the mechanics are unlike other sports.” Coach Hallas made it clear how much he enjoys coaching and proved the immense knowledge both he and Coach Robbins have of the sport.
Girls Curling Team
This year's girls curling team is made up of entirely new players, both to the sport and the team.
"This team of new players are quick to learn, and also bring a level of athleticism to their games that is remarkable," Coach Hallas said. For every game and practice, they are bringing all the effort and enthusiasm and managed to surprise themselves with a strong start to the season. Coach Hallas believes that they have a good chance at the playoff Bonspiel this upcoming February.
In one of their more recent games, they tied WCI 6–6 and really impressed their coaches and fans in the second end when they stole four points. Before the winter holidays, the team was in third place out of six teams in the league, with two wins, one tie, and one loss.
Open Curling Team
The open co-ed curling team this year is made up of new and returning players, and coaches have made it clear that they are showing good communication with each other on the ice, and they are determined to improve their curling and collaboration skills. "They are getting to know each other well and understand the best shots to call for each other," Mr Hallas explained.
In their third game of the season, they tied the game 6–6 with EDSS and did a good job setting themselves up for success in the last end. Before the holidays, the team's standing was fifth place out of ten teams in the league with two wins, one tie, and two losses.
Player Perspective
The Edge asked Arabelle Hiebert, a grade 12 student on the girls curling team, her reasoning for joining the KCI curling team and if she had any previous experience with the sport. Arabelle explained that she has never played before or had the intention to until her mom encouraged her to try it out with a friend: "If it had never been for my friend Zoe, who's willing to try anything, I would never have tried out in the first place. I just wanted to try something new, and curling seemed easy enough and fun!" she stated.
Arabelle's favourite thing about curling is that she can grow her skills. She likes being able to solve problems on the ice, and she appreciates that every game and end brings new challenges for her and her team to face: "I love sliding out of the hack and since starting I've become more confident in my slide and throw,” she explained.
When asked about some important skills essential for curling, Arabelle mentioned two main things: communication and the slide and throw: “That deep lunge requires a lot of hip, ankle, and knee mobility and takes time to get used to.” She continued, “It's very weird at first when learning how to slide out and have your foot go sideways instead of forwards. You have to angle your body and push hard without falling over.”
Arabelle moved on by highlighting some team and personal bests from the start of the season so far: “One of our team bests is when we got four points in one end or when we won a game 9-0.” She talked about how it is hard to deem a personal best, as the sport is dependent on the construction of the board, and it’s very much a team game: “Although, I would say a personal best for me was a really strong slide when I slid past the hog line and didn't fall,” she mentioned. Arabelle concluded by saying her goal for the rest of this season is to make it all the way to the championship, in which the team is required to win four total games to get there.
Conclusion
To conclude, both of KCI’s curling teams have kicked off their season with a strong start. They are excited to show their skills and are looking to further their success in upcoming games.
To any students interested in trying out for curling, coaches and players reiterate that the team fully supports everyone and would be excited to welcome new players and grow their curling family.
Come on out and cheer on KCI’s girls and co-ed curling teams in the second half of the season, and consider joining a team to get more involved in the KCI community and make some new connections.