Nelson & Suzan in Canada

So, here we are in Creston, British Columbia, Canada. We’ve been here for about a month and couldn’t feel more welcomed. Kelly and Dale Moberg, who we met at The Crush a few years back, have been so gracious in introducing us to the community and getting us going in the curling culture here.

Creston Curling Club is a 6-sheet dedicated ice facility which is located inside the Creston Community Centre. The community centre includes a gym, workout area, 2 swimming pools, hockey rink, skating rink, physical therapy center, a snack bar, and of course the curling club.

Suzan is curling 6 times a week and I’m curling 5 times a week. We also try and get out on the ice and practice a few times a week.

Some of the differences we’ve noticed between curling in the states and Canada:

Everyone up here sweeps with their slider. I’m not sure that’s a great thing. Sometimes both sweepers are on the same side of the rock.

Since they don’t pay for ice time, all games are 8 ends and they get through the 8 ends usually in 2 hours.

The only paid employee they have is the ice maker.

We’ve introduced the term “broomstacking” which people really like. After the game, both teams go to the lounge together but the winners don’t buy the losers beer. The curling lounge is open until the last person leaves.

We’ll be home soon and can’t wait to see all of you back at Skatetown Ice in March!

-Nelson Hilger