Mental preparation is key, say floor curlers

It’s a game that requires mental preparation, skill, and a little bit of luck– all of which two Barrhead couples will be bringing to the table.

Among the eight floor curling teams coming to the Summer Games, Barrhead will be well represented by Art and Norma Brand, and Bert and Mary Dubé in the 70+ category.

Bert and Mary have been floor curling over 20 years, and are no strangers to the Games. The two have participated on three other occasions, earning themselves a gold medal in Fairview two years ago.

Art and Norma on the other hand are new to the competitions and, compared to their partners, the game itself.

“We’re still little puppies yet,” laughed Art.

However their partners say, with enthusiasm, they are doing quite well.

After moving to Barrhead six years ago, the Brands met Bert and Mary, who invited them to Seniors Drop In Centre to floor curl.

Five years later the four have become good friends, and have played as teammates for two years this September. They can be found playing a game or two of floor curling at the centre every Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

“It’s too bad there’s a lot of seniors sitting at home doing nothing, when they could join us,” said Mary. “That would be so good for them.”

The team recently celebrated a victory in the 70 plus category of the Alberta Floor Curling Association’s provincial tournament June 14 and 15, where they took first place.

Norma said she thinks the Games will be interesting, and both her and Art are looking forward to the experience.

“We’re very new at this and we’re finding it very exciting,” said Norma.

Art added participating in the Games is not strictly about winning, but rather meeting different people who have the same interests.

“It’s something to do, and you can compete against one another on your own level,” he said. “If you win, that’s fine. If you don’t, you be a sport about it.”

The main thing, said Norma, is to have fun. Personally she most enjoys the game itself, though the friendships she and Art have made are just as important.

“The people that we’ve gotten to know are just super,” said Norma.

The team agreed the game is one that can be played in any physical condition. This is one thing you can do, said Bert, no matter what your health is like.

“A lot of the people wouldn’t be doing anything if they couldn’t floor curl,” said Norma. “With the stick, they can floor curl where if they had to try and do anything else, they wouldn’t be able to do it.”

“Even in the wheelchair, they can sit in the wheelchair and still curl with the stick,” added Mary.

The game may not be highly physical, but each teammate agreed being mentally prepared is the key to success. A player must concentrate on their game, because missing one shot can cost a team their victory.

“Being mentally prepared is your first thing,” said Norma. “You’ve got to make the right shot.”

However some of the game is luck as well. For example, said Norma, when you bounce off a rock you weren’t originally aiming for and it hits your opponent’s rock out.

Bert said he would guess luck is about 30 per cent of the game.

“You’ve got to have luck on your side,” said Bert. “That’s the way the cookie crumbles, if it crumbles to your advantage you’re OK.”

“Sometimes it crumbles the other way,” laughed Mary.