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INUVIK
The Inuvik Curling Club is getting a jump on the season with five leagues and more teams signing up than in the past five years.

Al German, Team Inuvik's skip, is the picture of focus while he throws a rock during a game against Fort Smith in February 2010 as part of the NWT Firefighter Curling Championships held in Fort Simpson. Inuvik won that game and lost their other four games. - NNSL file photo

The club held its first registration night on Sept. 16 and already 14 teams have signed up for the Friday Night Fun League, a few signed up for Wednesday night doubles league and a few more in the beginner's league on Thursday nights.

"We had a high turnout at the early bird registration with over 50 full time members registering," said Nick Saturnino, president of the Inuvik Curling Club. "We've made a few changes, including bringing the lounge downstairs so it's a more social outing."

In the past three years, the club has added the doubles curling and beginners, which incidentally has drawn more people out to the Friday night league. The doubles league has pairs playing two-on-two, with an hour to play. Instead of throwing eight rocks, each side throws five rocks.

The Friday night Fun League is the traditional four-on-four and Saturnino expects at least 20 teams to sign up before the ice goes in.

"The games go for about an hour and 15 minutes, so it's not too intensive," he said. "It's good for local recreation curlers. It's a chance for family, friends and co-workers to socialize in a different setting."

Also, three years ago they started the beginners' league, which undoubtedly has helped increase the number of players in the club. New curlers will learn the basics in the first half of the season before starting to play games in January.

Two teams from Inuvik, Diane Baxter skipped the women's team and and Mel Sittichinli was skip for the men's, qualified for the National Dominion Curling Championships to be held in Richmond, B.C. this November.

Every Tuesday, those teams wishing to compete in the 2012 territorial Dominion Championships will practise. The Dominion is a national event for club curlers.

Junior curling for those in grades 4 to 12 takes place Monday to Thursdays from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. Five- to 10-year-olds can curl on half ice.

The club is attempting to organize a Samuel Hearne Secondary School League to take place on Monday nights.

Curling is expected to start Oct. 2 or 3, depending on when the ice goes in. League play is not expected to start until two weeks later. For more information contact Saturnino.

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