​Off the Broom – Curling season off to a great start in Kincardine

Our 2025-26 curling season got off to a great start in early November with our “Learn to Curl” clinic which hosted 33 participants. Led by coach Maurice Wilson and assisted by Dave Middleton, Peter Newton, Tim Church, and Doug and Shelley Dechene, the newcomers received instructions on basic skills, including delivering the rock with both the no-lift delivery and the stick delivery, sweeping and general knowledge of the game.

The November clinic was so well-received, it was decided to hold a second basic skills clinic in the new year, Friday, Jan. 23, from 7-9 p.m. The following day, Saturday, Jan. 24, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., there will be an “Up Your Game” clinic which will include sweeping techniques, such as footwork, proper broom positioning and weight judgment, along with rules of the game and some strategy and tactics. You can register at www.kincardinecurlingclub.ca under “Upcoming Events.”

The annual Innies versus Outies bonspiel was held Nov. 8, and when the last rock was thrown, a surprise! The Innies finally won, ending a long, long drought for them. Now, the big question is, can they repeat next year?

The Ripley Curling Club hosted a “Movember” fund-raiser bonspiel. Word has it that Sam Turcotte, Jason Geberdt, Jen White and partner Bruce Fenton were the overall winners. The Kincardine team of Heather Struthers, Shannon Allen, Martina Aisenpreis and Rachel McLeod went one-and-one.

Our Junior curling program is on the rise. Nov. 29, Kincardine hosted the Grey Bruce Junior league bonspiel with an astounding 72 participants from various towns around the area. It was a great day and  thanks go to Pete Newton and the many other volunteers for making this such a success. The Durham Curling Club will be the host of the next event for the Juniors.

Our Friday Recreational Jitney is a drop-in format and we encourage anyone to come and join us. All you need are clean running shoes; all other equipment is available for use at the club. Cost is $10 and it’s open for beginners and experienced curlers.

Our men’s bonspiel will be held Jan. 3 and it is full. Come and enjoy some good curling and cheer on your favourite teams.

In association with the Port Elgin Curling Club, we are participating in the ticket sales for “The Battle” featuring Team Rachel Homan and Team Brad Jacobs which will be held from Sept. 25-27, 2026. Tickets can be purchased on-line at www.portelgincurlingclub.com “The Battle.” Just enter Kincardine Curling Club under the club you wish to support when you purchase your ticket. A portion of the proceeds will come back to our club. This may be your chance to meet Olympic gold medal winners — fingers crossed for both teams.