LAC LA BICHE - Floor curling is a great way for seniors to socialize while keeping active, says the president of the Lac La Biche Heritage Society.
Les Diachinsky is also chair of the community organization’s floor curling club, which meets every Friday afternoon for a few hours of recreation, food, and friendship.
Diachinsky, who has been playing the sport himself for the past seven years, said although floor curling shares many characteristics with ice curling, the two games are considerably different in nature.
“Notwithstanding the fact that floor curling is played indoors, in our game, rocks are rolled on the floor instead of thrust down the ice, and there is no sweeping,” he told Lakeland This Week. “The points system we use is the same while we normally play eight ends.”
In this adaptation of floor curling, chips are drawn not only to determine who will serve as skips for the respective teams, but to decide which teams players will belong to during the two games that are played on Friday afternoons. There is an intermission between matches where everyone does more socializing, while enjoying lunch.
“Four curling lanes have been permanently painted onto the floor of the heritage society that allow us to hold our games,” Diachinsky continued. “Generally, we don’t use equipment except for rocks, although some players use sticks to move the rocks down the playing area.”
While this group of dedicated local curlers plays primarily for enjoyment, over the years, some members have taken their skills and passion for the sport to bonspiels across the Lakeland region, competing against seniors from St. Paul, Bonnyville, Ardmore, and other communities
“When entering bonspiels, our club usually sends one team, but some years we’ve had as many as three,” Diachinsky explained, adding that these regional events often attract upwards of 24 teams. “While there are opportunities to win money, for many players, it’s more about the camaraderie and getting together with old friends that’s the big draw.”
Prior to the pandemic, the weekly games of floor curling at the Lac La Biche Heritage Society often drew more than 20 participants, but these days, according to Diachinsky, that number has dwindled to between 10 to 16.
“This is a fantastic way to get out of the house and get some exercise while spending time with friends and making new ones,” he continued. “The members of our club range from being in their mid-60s to over 90. We’re always looking for more people to join.”
While Leo Gaudet recently stopped playing ice curling, the 93-year-old continues to participate in floor curling games.
“At my age, you have to keep going, and this keeps me very active,” Gaudet stated.
Meanwhile, Anne LeMay has been a regular on the floor curling scene in Lac La Biche for more than 30 years.
“I first became involved in floor curling at the old community hall in McArthur Park that’s no longer there,” she said. “Over the years, I have made many friends through this sport.”
