Want a great gift idea for your curler this Christmas? How about an AUTOGRAPHED COPY OF JOHN MORRIS' FIT TO CURL?

Sport-specific Training
for the World's Greatest Game

By John Morris, with Dean Gemmell

Taken from the Fit to Curl website (click the photo above for a link to the official website) ...

"Written by John Morris, Third for Team Kevin Martin and a fixture among Canada’s elite curlers since skipping teams to world junior titles in 1998 and 1999, Fit to Curl is the first sport-specific guide to training for the world’s greatest game. John has seen the game evolve and uses his experiences in the sport and his background in kinesiology and personal training to provide specific training that will make a difference on the ice. No matter what your aspirations might be, whether it’s making a few more shots on League Night or winning national titles, you’ll find programs in this book that will help you improve as a curler and be healthier as a person. Filled with great photos of some of the world’s top players on the ice and in the gym, Fit to Curl also offers insights into nutrition, team dynamics and the mental side of the game. It’s a great book for players of all levels."

The RKCC proshop has a limited number of copies available for purchase - $20 plus tax. 

How you get them autographed? It is likely that John will be holding an autograph session at the Goldline booth sometime during the BDO Canadian Open in December, taking place at the K-Rock in December (I will confirm this if/when details are provided).  However, his father, Earle, relayed to me, "All that anyone who has bought a book would have to do is wander down to the boards and ask him to autograph it and he would be happy to do so."

If you would like a copy set aside, please email me in the office.

Thanks to Earle Morris for his clinic instruction at RKCC!

RKCC member, Michael Cook, with guest instructor, Earle Morris

This past Sunday, November 27, we were very lucky to have had Earle Morris, a level III Certified Curling Instructor - 3 time Brier participant - National Team Coach - Inventor of the Stabilizer, in our house for the day.  Those curlers fortunate enough to have taken part in one, or more, of the clinic sessions he offered, have certainly taken their game up a notch!

While Earle conducted a number of group instruction sessions, included a strategy talk with 20 or so of RKCC's members, there was one that stood out ... the use of the Stabilizer.  As many of you may know, Earle and his wife, Maureen, are the owners/operators/inventors of the Stabilizer, a patented curling crutch designed to help make your delivery as tight as possible.  For learning the art of sliding with an aid, there would be no one better to teach it.

Available with, or without, a cleaning head, the Stabilizer is available in the RKCC proshop. To visit their website, please click on the photo above.

A special thank you goes out to club member, Mary Stewart Ross, for arranging and coordinating the clinic ... job well done!

The rumor mill has already heated up with talks that a return visit to RKCC may be arranged for the new year ... if you would like to participate in a future clinic, please confirm this with the office.  I will keep a list of those interested.

See everyone on the ice!

THE BDO CANADIAN OPEN WINNER FOR WEEK 9 IS ... PLUS, IMPORTANT NEWS ABOUT TICKET SALES AND PARKING!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WEEK 9 MEMBER APPRECIATION CONTEST WINNER ...

Eleanor Henderson!

  Eleanor will be taking a guest to Draw 9 of the BDO Canadian Open, scheduled for Friday, December 16, at 7:30pm.

TEAMS ARE SET FOR THE BDO - SEE SCHEDULE OF DRAW TIMES HERE

HELPFUL GUIDE TO CITY OF KINGSTON MUNICIPAL PARKING LOTS HERE

As you know by now, the Royal Kingston Curling Club is starting the year off with a Member Appreciation Giveaway, to run in conjunction with our weekly Donation Draw. Each Monday morning, one lucky member will be awarded a pair of draw tickets to the upcoming BDO Canadian Open / Grand Slam of Curling event, being held this December at the K-Rock Center.

And who wouldn't want to go see this event? Without a doubt, those in attendance are going to be treated to some of the BEST CURLING PLAYED IN CANADA THIS YEAR!!!

There are now a variety of ticket packages available through the K-Rock Center website: 5 day -weekend - single game - Senior and Student specials - and more ... PLEASE CHECK OUT THE K-ROCK LINK FOR ALL THE DETAILS!

 

As for the RKCC Member Appreciation Giveaway ...

read all about the contest here

9 DRAWS DOWN ... 2 MORE TO GO!!!

2011-12 Membership Rosters are now available in print

For those members without access to the online roster, a printed version is now available. 

Members, Ken Burns and Art Russell, taking a look at this year's roster.  With the online version available inside the Members area at royalkingston.com, the printed version should be restricted to one per family, if possible. 

Special thanks to Carole Rivington for compiling the booklet ... it is not as easy as you might think!

 If you don't require a printed copy ... please leave it for someone else.

Any member who has forgotten their UserID and/or Password to the website, should feel free to call the office for assistance.

Good Curling!!

THE BDO CANADIAN OPEN WINNER FOR WEEK 8 IS ...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WEEK 8 MEMBER APPRECIATION CONTEST WINNER ...

Wayne Smith!

  Wayne will be taking a guest to Draw 8 of the BDO Canadian Open, scheduled for Friday, December 16, at 4pm.

TEAMS ARE SET FOR THE BDO - SEE SCHEDULE OF DRAW TIMES HERE!

As you know by now, the Royal Kingston Curling Club is starting the year off with a Member Appreciation Giveaway, to run in conjunction with our weekly Donation Draw. Each Monday morning, one lucky member will be awarded a pair of draw tickets to the upcoming BDO Canadian Open / Grand Slam of Curling event, being held this December at the K-Rock Center.

And who wouldn't want to go see this event? Without a doubt, those in attendance are going to be treated to some of the BEST CURLING PLAYED IN CANADA THIS YEAR!!!

There are 2 ticket packages available through the K-Rock Center website: 5 day and weekend.

As for the RKCC Member Appreciation Giveaway ...

read all about the contest here

8 DRAWS DOWN ... 3 MORE TO GO!!!

The 2011-12 online roster is now available in the Member's section.

GOOD NEWS ... the online roster for 2011-12, including ratings, is up and running in the Member's section of the website. Printed rosters will be available shortly and can be picked up in the lounge, or from the office.

If you see an error - incorrect or missing info - please email the office at your first convenience.  The online version is easy to edit and can be corrected in short order. 

Special thanks to Teresa Wilson, for editing and posting the member data to the website ... it is not as simple as you might think!

Not able to access the Member's section?  Call, or email, the office for the required User ID and Password.

THE BDO CANADIAN OPEN TICKET WINNER FOR WEEK 7 IS ...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WEEK 7 MEMBER APPRECIATION CONTEST WINNER ...

LEO DOYLE!

(and, he was signed in for the Toonie Draw - congrats!)

 Leo will be taking a guest to Draw 7 of the BDO Canadian Open, scheduled for Friday, December 16, at 12:30pm.

As you know by now, the Royal Kingston Curling Club is starting the year off with a Member Appreciation Giveaway, to run in conjunction with our weekly Donation Draw. Each Monday morning, one lucky member will be awarded a pair of draw tickets to the upcoming BDO Canadian Open / Grand Slam of Curling event, being held this December at the K-Rock Center.

And who wouldn't want to go see this event? Without a doubt, those in attendance are going to be treated to some of the BEST CURLING PLAYED IN CANADA THIS YEAR!!!

5 day packages are still available through the K-Rock Center website.

And, they have just introduced a new, weekend package for $99!!

As for the RKCC Member Appreciation Giveaway ...

read all about the contest here

7 DRAWS DOWN ... 4 MORE TO GO!!!

Guess who is celebrating a birthday?

None other than RKCC's unofficial mascot -

SOPHIE!!

Most of you would know George Gratton - one of RKCC's most dedicated volunteers - so, you would most likely know/recognize his dog, Sophie. Sophie often accompanies George on his visits to the club and I am sure we have all stooped for a pet, or two!

Happy 2nd Birthday, Sophie!!

If you have an announcement that you would like to share with the membership, please send it to me by email, along with any picture for consideration.  I will do my best to post it if possible.

Accessible parking spots reserved for those with valid permits.

With the season in full swing, and the facility very busy with both curling and non-curling events, it is worth reminding members about our accessible parking spots (pictured above).  These spots are reserved for members and/or guests who have a valid Ministry of Transporation Accessible Parking Permit (APP) displayed in their vehicle.

If you do not have an APP, please do not park here.

If the accessible spots are full, and the associated entry ramps are not available, there is another access point for dropoff/pickup.  The west end of the sidewalk leading up to the main door, is ramped (pictured above). Please utilize this access point if the curb in front of the building is a hazard. 

The Kingston Fire Department dictated that the area in front of the main doors be kept clear at all times, and this is why the City of Kingston required the accessible ramps to located where they are.

The RKCC staff will insure that the entire walkway leading up to the main door, from both east and west directions, remains safe throughout the winter months.

New member, Gord Chapman, taking notice of the wind hazard

And, one final issue - safely managing the front door on windy days. 

Given the exposure of our main door, the prevailing wind often plays havoc with the power assist feature.  On a day when it is not safe to activate/open both doors, one may be closed (as pictured above) to help prevent a mishap.  In the event that this action requires disengaging the power assist feature on a given day, I apologize in advance.  A long-term solution is being considered.

Thank you to all members for their attention to these matters.

And, as always, if you see an issue in or around the facility needing attention, please bring it to me in the office.  Email notification is best, but written notes may be left with any staff member, or deposited in the mailbox outside of my office rollup.

Good Curling!!

Time to finally put the golf clubs away ... and give curling a try!

It's time ... put the clubs away!

The Royal Kingston Curling Club has a MUCH better way for you to spend your winter months ... CURLING!!

Whether you are new to the sport, and want to join for the first time, or you stayed on the course a little too long, and weren't sure if we were still taking members ...

RKCC can get you onto the ice, and part of a team, for January 2012!

Half year memberships are available and will provide you with curling privileges starting January 1.  At that point, the second half of our curling season begins, with curling opportunities for juniors, women and men ... please contact me in the office for more information.

And, if you still can't commit to a membership, don't forget about our weekly Learn to Curl program!!  Attend a couple of these and you might get the bug!!

Give us a chance to help you stay fit, while passing the winter month's away ...

COME CURLING!!

THE BDO CANADIAN OPEN TICKET WINNER FOR WEEK 6 IS ...

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WEEK 6 MEMBER APPRECIATION CONTEST WINNER ...

TOMMY MARTIN
(pictured here with his favorite bartender, Julie Cox)

(and, he was signed in for the Toonie Draw - congrats, Tommy!)

 Tommy, will be taking a guest to Draw 6 of the BDO Canadian Open, scheduled for Friday, December 16, at 9:00am.

As you know by now, the Royal Kingston Curling Club is starting the year off with a Member Appreciation Giveaway, to run in conjunction with our weekly Donation Draw. Each Monday morning, one lucky member will be awarded a pair of draw tickets to the upcoming BDO Canadian Open / Grand Slam of Curling event, being held this December at the K-Rock Center.

And who wouldn't want to go see this event? Without a doubt, those in attendance are going to be treated to some of the BEST CURLING PLAYED IN CANADA THIS YEAR!!!

5 day packages are still available through the K-Rock Center website.

And, they have just introduced a new, weekend package for $99!!

As for the RKCC Member Appreciation Giveaway ...

read all about the contest here

6 DRAWS DOWN ... 5 MORE TO GO!

You don't see this on a curling rink everyday ... take a look!

16 rocks in the house - count them!

Yes, it happened ... all 16 rocks in the house - not in play, but in the house!

It happened last year, but the picture just surfaced - wanted to post it for other curlers to see.  With the first rock of the end going deep, and the other team trying to keep  rocks in play/muddy it up for extra points, before you know it ... 16 rocks in the house!

How rare is this?  I can tell you that I have never seen it before.

Has anyone witnessed a similar end, or another rarity, at their club?  Please send me the details ... I would be happy to post it.

Good Curling!

Come on, curlers ... time to buy tickets to the BDO Grand Slam event!

With the addition of $99 weekend event packages, now is the time to get your best value on tickets to watch the BDO Canadian Open, at the K-Rock in December!

What do you get for $99?  All tiebreakers and playoff games, including the Sunday final, are included in this package.

Why buy a package, if you can't attend all the games?  Value. The lowest, per draw prices are available with the packages. Why not purchase a multigame option - attend the games you want - gift the remaining draws to family and friends ... you must know someone with a birthday!!!  Or, go in on a package with someone who can attend those games you aren't available to watch - both of you would maximize your value!!

Why not wait for single draw tickets to go on sale?  Always an option, but your value is in mulitgame packages ... prices for single draw tickets, especially playoff games, will likely be much higher, and the best seats are going now!

Which teams will be playing - who will you see if you attend? As reported by Doug Graham in the Whig , the list of confirmed teams is growing! Olympic Gold Medalists, World Champions, Brier Champs ... this field will have it all!!

The simple fact is ...

If we don't support events like this in Kingston, events like this won't be stopping in Kingston! 

See everyone at the K-Rock - Good Curling!!