London Curling Club
The social aspect of curling has always been a big part of the game, and it is especially in play at the London Curling Club. Couples often join together and compete with their spouses in mixed curling as well as in leagues for men only or women only.
Curling offers couples a chance to do something together. Often, friendships with other couples that can last for decades develop. Curling stands out for its etiquette. Curlers respect their opponents and compliment them when they make a good shot. New curlers will start making those “good shots” relatively quickly because the sport has a sharp learning curve.
Curling is also a vehicle to raise money for charitable causes. Last season, London Curling Club member Ken Walmsley launched a bonspiel and silent auction that raised $18,500 for prostate cancer research via the London Health Sciences Foundation. This year, Walmsley and his committee members at the club are organizing two bonspiels for the same cause.
Story submitted by Burt Dowsett
Ilderton Curling Club
Ilderton Curling Club is a very active facility just a few minutes north of London. It has been in existence since 1960, and now boasts an annual membership of around 500 with a wide range in both ages and skill levels. We draw members from Ilderton and the surrounding areas and offer roughly 40 draws of curling a week; mixed and single sex, social and competitive. We are also proud to host both Special Olympic and Wheelchair Curling on Sundays.
Our curling club is available for rentals during the season; for availability, please contact Christine Aitcheson at 519-666-1810. Charity bonspiels, corporate team building, church groups, and family groups are all welcome. Brooms and sliders are supplied.
For more information, visit www.ildertoncurlingclub.com.
Story submitted by Christine Aitcheson, Photo by Robert Wilson
St. Thomas Curling Club
The St. Thomas Curling Club has been located at 38 Parkside Drive since 1955 and includes six sheets of ice and a comfortable lounge area. Our members are proud of our curling club and the many Provincial Champions that have developed their skills in our facility.
However, the majority of our new members have never tried the sport before. The St. Thomas Curling Club offers a variety of ways to help you get started in the sport. Free instruction is available to all new members through our Curling 101 program. There is no need to purchase any equipment, as the Club provides everything you need to get started.
Our season begins in mid-October and continues through to the middle of April. We have leagues for every age and ability, and you can join as an individual, a couple, or as a team. For more information, contact us at 519-631-1770 or check out our website at www.stthomascurlingclub.com.
Story submitted by Barry Westman
Highland Curling Club
Highland Country Club is a fully integrated curling and golf facility that is hidden away … right in the heart of London. Curling members have access to all of the amenities available at the Club, including full dining in comfortable surroundings for members and their guests to enjoy.
We have a six-sheet curling rink, which opened in 1959. We pride ourselves on having the best ice and the top ice-making team in Canada. Our clubhouse underwent major renovations in 2011-2012, and Highland Country Club has become the premier curling club in Southwestern Ontario.
Our Club has a reputation for producing competitive curlers and hosting quality bonspiels and events. At the same time, we have several leagues that are geared to the more social curler, including a “Get Started League” for those looking to learn the great game of curling.
For more information, please contact Donna Krotz, Curling Coordinator, at donnakrotz@outlook.com.
Story submitted by Donna Krotz
