A total of 72 teams are taking part in the 2023 Canadian Stick Curling Championships at the Nanaimo Curling Centre. The four day event concludes with the tournament final on April 3. (Dan Marshall/NNN)

By Dan Marshall

On the Button

Nanaimo hosts 2023 Canadian Stick Curling Championships

Apr 1, 2023 | 8:39 AM

NANAIMO — The 2023 Canadian Stick Curling Championship are taking place over four days at the Nanaimo Curling Centre.

Nanaimo club general manager Matt Boll said they are competitors from the Harbour City and Canada wide.

“We have 72 teams from across the country and 144 players. There will be around 55-60 draws between Thursday and finals on Sunday.”

There is an open draw and a women’s draw with playoffs slated for 10 a.m. on Sunday April 2 and the final set to go at 3 p.m.

Boll noted stick curling is different from the curling many novice fans may be used to watching on television.

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“It’s a modified doubles version of curling. For stick curling one member of the team stands at each end of the ice. They throw rocks with a stick and they are only allowed to sweep from the hog line in. They play the game with six rocks.”

There some Nanaimo players who are expected to be contenders at the event.

“Some Nanaimo teams tend to do very well,” Boll said. “Craig Turnbull and Brad Childe are two curlers from our club. We also have Ferdie Hobson and Jim Beecroft. Jim is one of the best curlers I’ve curled against this year.”

Stick curling is very popular overall at the Nanaimo Curling Centre.

Boll said the regular Monday league is one of the largest at the club.

“We had close to 60 people in that league this season. The best part of stick curling is how open it is. It benefits people in wheelchairs, people with mobility issues or people who aren’t confident in their sliding abilities. It opens up an entire new world of sport for those young and old.”

Draw schedules and results will be posted the Nanaimo club website.

The event is open to the public with no admission charge.

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