The Nanaimo Curling Centre is set to host the a national-level competition, as the Canadian Stick Curling Championships take over the ice sheets this week.
The event, March 29-April 2, marks the first time B.C. has held the competition since Vernon hosted the tournament in 2016.
This year’s competition will feature 18 teams in the women’s division and 54 in the open event, making a total of 72 teams representing nine provinces.
This is the first time the competition has been on Vancouver Island and local stick curlers are looking forward to competing locally.
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“I’m excited for it to be close to home for once,” said Brad Childe, who’s been stick curling for seven years and has been playing the sport since he was 10 years old. “It’ll be fun to show everyone around the area.”
Despite it being a national championship, it’s typically less competitive than some other curling competitions and is particularly popular with seniors as it can be easier on the back and joints.
“It’s like a big party for these people, we obviously like to win and want to win, but it’s also just a big gathering of friends who get together to have fun and reminisce,” said Childe.
The championship is set to start on Wednesday, March 29, with opening ceremonies at 5 p.m. The curling starts Thursday, March 30, with games from 8 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and games continue Friday and Saturday, March 21-April 1, from 8 a.m.-9:45 p.m. The finals happen Sunday, April 2, at 3 p.m.
Spectators are welcome and admission is free.
bailey.seymour@nanaimobulletin.com
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