Learn to Curl at High Park Curling Club!
posted February 17, 2014 12:32 PM   RSS | iCal | +googleCal

Sat March 8 at 11:00 PM, High Park Curling Club
100 Indian Road, Toronto, ON M6R 2V5, Canada (Map & Directions)
With the Olympics comes people saying "hey, Curling looks strange / fun / silly, how do I try it?" Well, there's only a few months left before the clubs close for the summer, so the time to learn is now. I've rented ice at High Park Curling Club, which gives us two hours of late night practice & play time. Interested?
The cost is $15 / person, and it would be the most fun if we had at least 8 people so we can play a short game after everyone learns how to slide without falling over. The (cash only!) bar is open till 2am, so we can fall over later.

It'll be fun! But don't believe me, observe this commercial!

IMPORTANT DETAIL: Please bring a clean pair of soft-soled shoes to change into. Athletic shoes or sneakers work well, just please scrub any bits of dirt off the bottoms. Keeping the ice surface clean is important. That's all you need, though you'll be most comfortable in a warm long-sleeved top and somewhat stretchy / loose-fitting pants.

Not so important detail: The club has slip-on sliders, so don't worry if your extra pair of shoes are knobbly on the bottom. Just bring 'em! See you there.
posted by anthill to Meetup (53 comments total) 2 users marked this as a favorite

I do know a bit about curling (though I'm not so hot on sliding without falling over), but I'd still love to come depending on how the date works out for me.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:35 PM on February 17, 2014


I'd love to join if my schedule allows, which it probably won't, but I'll check in just in case.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 8:49 PM on February 17, 2014


Why not? I haven't played since the 80s. I'm just starting a new job, so it would have to be an evening.
posted by scruss at 5:19 AM on February 18, 2014


Yes! I work 9-5 downtown, so if the timing works around that...
posted by avocet at 9:00 AM on February 18, 2014


Sounds great. My spouse and I would definitely be up for this.
posted by Clandestine Outlawry at 11:45 AM on February 18, 2014


OK, good start - if y'all message a friend, maybe we can interest 8 people plus me? That way, if everyone shows we can have one "coach".

I'll call the club tomorrow and check if / when I can get ice time.
posted by anthill at 5:40 PM on February 18, 2014


Me me me me me!
posted by typewriter at 10:07 PM on February 18, 2014


News from the club is that they're "all booked" weeknights and weekends. Best spot is Tuesday 4-6pm (not so good!)

I've checked in with another club that we've rented from before, we'll see if they have better options.

Cancellations do happen, but I'm not sure if we can use them - do we need a week's advance notice? Or can you do with less?
posted by anthill at 9:14 AM on February 19, 2014


Solid Maybe from me. Depends on the day/time!
posted by captaincrouton at 1:55 PM on February 19, 2014


Is that $30 total, or per person?
posted by jb at 7:01 PM on February 19, 2014


Notice probably doesn't make that much difference to me -- either I will be free that night or I won't be, most of my events are set fairly far in advance anyway.

I don't know if it would cause anyone's excitement to wain but it might be worth waiting until the league seasons are drawing to a close, because there might be more ice time available toward the end of the season as the leagues start to close down.
posted by jacquilynne at 9:29 PM on February 19, 2014


High Park Curling Club (Roncesvalles / Keele area) has offered late night Saturday curling at 11pm - 1am. March 1st or 8th.

Is that too late for people?

There's also a possibility for East York CC at 9pm on March 15th but that's a bit less certain.

I'll ask for rates. It will be per "sheet" of ice (which fits at most 8 people) so numbers matter. I'm guessing it will be less than $30/pp.
posted by anthill at 10:33 AM on February 20, 2014


$15 per person and the High Park bar's open until 2:00am.
posted by anthill at 11:23 AM on February 20, 2014


I can't do March 1st, but the 8th should work if it's that late.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 5:38 PM on February 20, 2014


YEAH YEAH, High Park! I am nearby, I can do that!
posted by avocet at 7:25 PM on February 20, 2014


I'm interested in the 8th; can't do the 1st. I think the 15th would be okay.
posted by ilana at 7:43 PM on February 20, 2014


High Park Curling Club (Roncesvalles / Keele area) has offered late night Saturday curling at 11pm - 1am. March 1st or 8th.

Oh my god, I can't not do that.. Every time I think I'm out, they draw me back in.
posted by Chuckles at 10:16 PM on February 20, 2014


The late night times are ... late. But that could totally be fun.
posted by jacquilynne at 7:20 AM on February 21, 2014


Oh wow, that's a lot closer than East York. The 8th is better for me than the 1st.
posted by maudlin at 12:28 PM on February 21, 2014


Right on! Sounds like I should book March 8th late night.

How do things work around here - should I edit this post with the firm date/time, wait for 4-5 "yes"es, then book the ice?
posted by anthill at 12:59 PM on February 21, 2014


Eeeeee what if I've never curled before?!?
posted by typewriter at 4:20 AM on February 25, 2014


Then this is your chance, typewriter!

All right, I've confirmed March 8th late night. Psyched!
posted by anthill at 8:38 AM on February 25, 2014


suetanvil and I are totally down for this but since there's already a bunch of maybes ahead of us, perhaps we can come and cheer?
posted by zix at 10:07 AM on February 25, 2014


Aww, I don't think i can made that. Have fun!
posted by captaincrouton at 11:08 AM on February 25, 2014


Zix - There's no shortage of space, so say yes!

I only mentioned '8 people' because that's the minimum to play a game. If we have more, so much the better, we can just take over a second ice sheet!
posted by anthill at 1:10 PM on February 25, 2014


I'm in L.A., but I would just like to say that this sounds awesome and I wish I could go.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:53 PM on March 5, 2014


Aww man, literally walking distance from my place, but won't be able to make it.
posted by [expletive deleted] at 7:51 PM on March 5, 2014


damn, that's all the wrong end of town, and I will likely turn into a pumpkin at that late hour, but I won't let the ancestry down. It has been over 25 years since I last played.

I don't think I've made tablet for youse either, so I'll see if I can scare up a batch in time.
posted by scruss at 10:57 AM on March 6, 2014


Birthday dinner that night. Sorry, all.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 12:05 PM on March 6, 2014


I'm in the southeastern United States and I'm jealous of this event.
posted by oceanjesse at 11:09 PM on March 6, 2014


I'm one seventh of a planet away now but this makes me happy. The ex is Canadian [from Winterpeg] and she told me about Jam-tin curling. She said that she and her sisters had no idea what they were doing but they had a great time doing it.
posted by vapidave at 2:57 AM on March 7, 2014


Get psyched!
posted by anthill at 2:11 PM on March 7, 2014


Aw man, if we close down the bar I'll be rollin' home around 3:30 despite living so close. Stupid time change!

I have a phobia of slipping on ice and my legs are still aching from Wednesday's gym session but whatever I'm coming anyways
posted by avocet at 8:58 AM on March 8, 2014


Oh yeah, the time change will make getting up Sunday a little more of a challenge.

No leg day for me this week (last big push of deadlines for current projects kept me in the house), so my question will be whether all the stretching, flailing and falling tonight will affect me at the gym Monday instead. (I've put on some winter padding, so actually falling won't bother me much.)

anthill, do we rent or buy or borrow sliders there? My clean running shoes are nubbly on the bottom, so I don't know if they will slip enough when needed.
posted by maudlin at 9:31 AM on March 8, 2014


Usually clubs have teflon tape available that you can just tape to the bottom of your shoe for the night.

I think I must have given my sliders away when I moved, unfortunately, or I'd bring them for people to use.
posted by jacquilynne at 10:15 AM on March 8, 2014


The club manager told me they have elastic slip-on sliders at the club, free to borrow. Hopefully they'll have enough of the right shoe sizes. Packing tape is the fallback option.

Does everyone get meetup reminders, or should I bump the description with a MeMail alert?
posted by anthill at 11:34 AM on March 8, 2014


Aaaaaand I ate something that disagreed with me – not feeling too good right now. After all, as chunking express said, "it wouldn't be a meetup if i didn't bail". :(
Have fun tonight!
posted by avocet at 3:19 PM on March 8, 2014


We're here and about to get on the ice.
posted by suetanvil at 8:10 PM on March 8, 2014


Eek - maudlin fell on the ice and the paramedics are here.
posted by scruss at 9:16 PM on March 8, 2014


We're waiting in emergency to be seen. She's sitting up and fine. Maudlin adds that, "I broke the first rule; I didn't bleed in the red circle!"
posted by typewriter at 10:15 PM on March 8, 2014


Augh, maudlin! Hope it's nothing beyond a stitch or two, and that they don't leave you waiting in emerg too long... The club gave you a refund so i owe you $15, if that's any consolation.
posted by anthill at 10:32 PM on March 8, 2014


She's being seen now. All good!
posted by typewriter at 10:43 PM on March 8, 2014 [3 favorites]


Really sorry about that, guys. So who won the game?

Got seen very quickly at western and now have my own staple remover to remove SIX staples put in my skull. Wanted bolts in the sides of my neck, too, but no go.

Thanks to y'all for your kindness and BIG thanks to typewriter, Jacquilynne and Chuck for escorting me to the hospital, then home.
posted by maudlin at 11:36 PM on March 8, 2014 [5 favorites]


I think everyone's a winner for trying it. Six! Cripes!
posted by anthill at 11:59 PM on March 8, 2014


Well, I didn't get much curling in, but I am apparently keeping my 'drive people home from the hospital' streak alive.
posted by jacquilynne at 12:01 AM on March 9, 2014 [1 favorite]


Aw, feel better, maudlin! That sucks, but I'm so glad it wasn't any worse.

I think, all in all, the ice probably won, but we put up a good fight. I've had staples in my skull before (theatre internship of doom) so I definitely feel you. I guess at least if you have your own staple remover, you won't have to deal with a nurse who starts off with "well, I've never done this before," and ends with "oops, this one's stuck." I think you'll do much better. We were wondering if this was the first meetup that involved a hospital visit.

In any case, I hope all is well, and we'll have a calmer meetup next time (I think we may all owe maudlin a drink).

PS Thanks so much to scruss for the ride home!
posted by ilana at 12:06 AM on March 9, 2014


Glad to hear all is well, maudlin. At least you can now make "I believe you have my staple remover" jokes.
posted by scruss at 7:28 AM on March 9, 2014


Apparently my family doctor is supposed to remove the staples, not me. I will contact her first to see if she has the appropriate experience. Failing that, I'll pop across the street to the duplication centre at the office supplies place.

At least you can now make "I believe you have my staple remover" jokes.

As long as no one moves my desk to the basement, I should be fine.
posted by maudlin at 11:15 AM on March 9, 2014 [2 favorites]


Somehow "I'm glad you're okay even if okay now means you have STAPLES IN YOUR HEAD OH MY GOD" doesn't seem to accurately convey what I'm feeling. I hope your head heals up quick! And yes, there should be a MeFi Makeup Meetup for maudlin (in March?)

Flickr set of some pictures and one video of scruss.

Thanks again for organizing, anthill!
posted by zix at 3:21 PM on March 9, 2014


So I think we made two fundamental errors.. Thinking this was a good idea, obviously :)

But also, I think for sliding out training, the key is to get people sliding very very slightly, without ever letting go of the rock, just to get the position down. We could have done a group on each end of the ice. It would have been better. I guess that's what they have certified curling coaches for :P
posted by Chuckles at 11:20 PM on March 9, 2014 [1 favorite]


This sounds like the greatest meetup EVER!
posted by dirtdirt at 1:52 PM on March 13, 2014 [1 favorite]


Memorable for sure! Who wants another blurry night in a dimly lit bar? Not when you can have a late-night visit to the ER!
posted by typewriter at 3:14 PM on March 13, 2014 [1 favorite]


I'd totally be up for doing this again but without injuries.
posted by one more dead town's last parade at 6:01 PM on March 13, 2014 [4 favorites]



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