SASKATOON — A new group of curlers joined the CN Curling Club for the 2024-25 season and they are showcasing that curling truly is a sport for all ages and abilities.
Started at the Sutherland Curling Club, the Blind Curling League is open to anyone who is blind, partially sighted or deafblind. Participants are able to practise and play at both the Sutherland Curling Club and now the CN Curling Club.
The league’s start began when Howard Bernsten and Charlene Young began chatting about the idea of a Saskatoon Blind Curling League. After numerous discussions with the visually impaired community, it generated interest to lay the groundwork for this new curling program, as it became apparent there was both a want and a need for this activity in the Saskatoon sports community.
Charlene Young, secretary, Sticks and Stones Curling League says their curling league currently has ten dedicated blind and partially sighted participants. The group curls out of the Sutherland Curling Club most Sunday nights, and when Sutherland is unavailable, for those preparing for Westerns and Nationals, practises take place at the CN Curling Club on Thursdays.
“This helps us maintain consistent practice as we prepare for the competitions,” affirms Young.
Nine volunteers are part of the program at the moment with some acting as sighted seconds on the teams, while others assist curlers with alignment in the hack or other needs on the ice.
Volunteers usually tap on the ice before a curler delivers stone and Young tells Â鶹´«Ã½AV.ca that this tapping helps guide the curler, signalling where they need to aim their throw.
“It’s a crucial auditory cue for those delivering the stone,” said Young.
The curlers have the added benefit of a young lady who is in the process of becoming a national coach as well as the potential for one more person interested in pursuing the same path.
Young says, “We are preparing for both Westerns Canadians and national competition. Nationals will be held in Sydney, Nova Scotia, from Feb. 2-8, 2025, and one team will go per province. Westerns take place in Prince George, B.C., towards the end of March 2025, and again only one team will attend.”
This new curling group started in 2023 and they were happy to welcome a few new members for this season.
“Blind and visually impaired curling relies on strong teamwork and communication. Each team has a sighted guide or coach standing near the house, giving verbal instructions about where to aim and how much weight to use. The guide also provides feedback on the stone’s movement once it’s delivered. Players use the same basic techniques as sighted curlers, though a guide may assist in adjusting their stance,” adds the league secretary.
“Just like in regular curling, strategy plays a significant role, and teammates support each other with tactics. It’s a great mix of skill, communication, and adaptability, making curling accessible to players of all abilities,” she noted.
The curling group acknowledge that the Saskatoon curling community is wonderfully supportive. Clubs like Sutherland and CN have accommodated them with ice time.
“Their members are curious and encouraging, often showing genuine interest in how the game is adapted for blind and partially sighted players. It’s been a great environment for fostering inclusion and growth,” Young said.
