Refr. & YEA Happy Hour & Curling Event Recap

Stone cold strategies & hot competition were what we experienced last Thursday at the Kraken Community Iceplex. The Refrigeration and YEA Committees teamed up to host an event where participants gathered for drinks and some delicious bites while meeting their future teammates or sizing up their competition. Little did we know, those casual introductions would soon turn into intense on-ice rivalries.

Once we hit the ice, it was time to really rock the night.

The evening began with a full hour of curling practice, where we geared up with grippers over our shoes and stepped onto the rink ready to learn the sport. We got hands-on instruction in the fundamentals of curling: how to push off the blocks with one leg, balance the other on a slider slipper, and send the stone gliding down the ice toward the house.

We also learned the science behind the sweep. By brushing the ice in front of the stone, the friction from the brooms slightly melts the pebbled surface, reducing resistance and helping guide the stone farther and straighter.

Of course, our first few attempts were not exactly Olympic-level.

There were slips, shaky throws, full wipeouts, and plenty of stones that veered wildly off course. Some barely made it 10 feet, while others shot off like they were late for the bus. But after a few rounds of practice, everyone began to find their balance, improve their delivery, and finally make it all the way to the house.

Then the real competition began.

We split into teams of four and played three rounds against other teams, and things heated up. Suddenly every sweep mattered, every stone placement was analyzed, and every point was defended like a championship match. Some teams came out strong with surprisingly accurate throws and strategic sweeping, while others were still figuring out whether power or finesse would win the round.

One of the toughest parts of the game was judging exactly how much force to use. Too little, and the stone would come up frustratingly short. Too much, and it would sail right past the house. Meanwhile, strong sweeping from teammates often made the difference between overshooting the target and barely sneaking into scoring position. There was no shortage of competitive energy on the ice. Teams were calling shots, debating strategy, and doing everything possible to out-sweep the opposition.

To close out the event, four lucky attendees were randomly selected to receive a 2026 Milan Olympic Curling Pin, ending the night on a high note.

A special thank you to our sponsor, CHC Hydronics, for helping make this event possible. We truly appreciate your support and partnership in creating opportunities for our members to connect, compete, and have a great time together.

All in all, it was a night that truly convinced everyone that curling is in fact a cool sport, full of full of laughter, team spirit, and enough competitive sweeping to keep everyone on their toes.