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This report is about
curling in Saskatchewan, and how it became to be a sport in Saskatchewan. It
is also about the history of curling in Saskatchewan and what changes have
happened to curling until now. It will also tell you some really cool
things, for example interesting facts and special dates in Saskatchewan
curling. Let’s take a look into the exciting history of curling.
Questions:
1.
When did the Saskatchewan Curling Association start and how did it?
2.
What changes have happened to curling between 1882-2005?
3.
Where did people curl when they didn’t have artificial ice and in
what cities or towns did they curl in?
4.
What are some important dates in Saskatchewan curling?
5.
How did curling become Saskatchewan’s sport?
6.
What are some important facts of Saskatchewan curling?
The Saskatchewan Curling
Association was formed in 1904, before it was called the Assiniboia Branch
of the Royal Caledonian Curling Association. Then in 1905 the name changed
to Saskatchewan Branch because Saskatchewan became a province in Canada.
Finally in 1910 the name changed to the Saskatchewan Curling Association.
Many changes have happened since 1882 in
Saskatchewan curling, for example we now curl in indoor rinks. Back then
they curled on the North Saskatchewan River and streets, like Saskatchewan
drive. Another example of change is that now most of us curl on artificial
ice, back in 1882 people curled on natural ice. One big thing in
Saskatchewan curling was how the curling rocks have changed throughout the
years, now the curling rocks are all granite and the same size. Also they
stayed at the curling rink. Back in 1882 there was a whole bunch of
different kinds of curling rocks and people had there own rocks too! Some of
the different kinds of curling rocks were tamarack blocks, pots, pickle
pails, and jam cans. By 1900 mostly all curling clubs had moved indoors,
before that they curled outside or in lousy rinks like ones made out of hay
bales or canvas. (They didn’t stay up for long) Also there used to be
different rules back in 1882, now they are more advanced rules, for example
the 4 guard zone. One thing that changed curling lots was the painted rings
because before they had non-colored rings and that didn’t help seeing the
circle at the other end of the sheet. Also another change to curling was to
the size of the rings before they used to have14 feet circles, now they have
12 foot circles. So you may think everything in Saskatchewan curling has
changed since 1882, but not everything, only one thing didn’t change, it was
the traditional handshake before and after the games.
Before Saskatchewan curlers
had artificial ice and big curling rinks they curled on rivers like, the
North Saskatchewan River. Curlers also curled on Saskatchewan Drive in
Regina too! Later on curlers curled in hay bale rinks and canvas rinks will
natural ice. Now curlers curl on artificial ice with metal rinks curving
over top of them. Back in 1882 curlers in Saskatchewan curled in
cities/towns, some of them were Prince Albert, Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon,
Carlye, Weyburn, Swift Current, Yorkton, Balgoine and Rosetown. Now there
are curling clubs all over Saskatchewan!
There are many important dates in
Saskatchewan curling, here are some of them. In 1843 the Grand Caledonian
was granted the patronage of Prince Albert, then it was renamed to the Royal
Caledonian Curling Club. In 1882 was the first recorded curling game
in Saskatchewan it was played on the North Saskatchewan River. In 1904 the
Saskatchewan Curling Association was founded and in March 1904 Saskatchewan
curlers spent 2 hours shoveling 8 feet high snowdrifts off their curling
rink to curl on it. In 1907 a natural ice game was played on May 24, by the
Regina Curling club. In 1924 curling was included at the Winter Olympics in
Chamonix, France. In 1945 jam can curling was invented by Harold Covell
principal of Lakeview School. In 1947 the Saskatchewan Ladies Association
was founded. In 1955 it was Regina’s first time to hold the Brier. In 1981
it was the first time Regina held the Tournament of Hearts. So, you can see
that there were a lot of important dates in Saskatchewan and these are only
a few of them.
So everyone wants to know when did
curling become Saskatchewan’s sport and how did it become Saskatchewan’s
sport. Well, it became Saskatchewan’s official sport in 2001 because the
Saskatchewan Curling Association asked the province to consider curling, as
it’s official sport. Reasons that curling is Saskatchewan’s sport are
because of the rich history it has in Saskatchewan, and because it displays
the best qualities of sportsmanship, teamwork, and fun. It’s also
Saskatchewan’s sport because it involves people of all ages.
There are lots of interesting facts for
curling; here are some of them. Did you know that there is over 1,000,000
curlers estimated in Canada? Also did you know once there was granite stones
selling for $8 a pair in Canada, now each pair sells for about $600? When
Saskatchewan curling first started they turned to Manitoba for guidance in
the starting. Probably the first time curling was played in Saskatchewan was
October of 1838, by a party of Hudson’s Bay officials, with flat rocks from
the North Saskatchewan River. The most interesting fact I found was that
curling is called ‘the roaring game’ because of the sound the curling rock
makes when it goes down the pebbled ice.
Now that you have read my report you
might have learned something about curling history like how many changes
have happened to Saskatchewan curling and how curling became Saskatchewan’s
sport. You might have even learned important dates that you wanted to know
before. Also you might have learned that we do have a very rich history in
curling and that we are very proud to have it as our official sport in
Saskatchewan.
By Ashley Desjardins
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rt
of Saskatchewan
