Bobsled. Luge. Curling. Snowboarding. Alpine skiing. These are some of the sports played in the recent Winter Olympics. Every four years, athletes from around the globe gather to compete in cold climate sports. Growing up in colder regions where winter sports are a norm certainly has its advantages. However, this hasn’t stopped individuals from tropical climates from breaking the (icy) ceiling – including Singapore. If you are drawn to some of these winter sports and wonder where to train where there is no snow, you are not alone.
If you didn't already know, curling, for example, is a recreational sport played on our sunny island. Curling is a team sport, played on ice, where two teams take turns to slide stones towards a target – also known as a House. Expect frantic sweeping and constant yelling as a player slides across the ice and releases a stone in the direction of a circle. Be entertained when you see how “sweepers” dash alongside the stone and brush the ice in front of it in a bid to make it slide farther.
To learn more about curling, we reached out to Somerton Sio, president of Equatorial Curling Club. He shares more about how he got into the sport and his love for it.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you get into curling?
I first started curling during my university studies in 2006. It was around the time of the Turin Winter Olympics that my friend asked me to join the university curling club which had only just been founded in the preceding weeks. It didn't take much to convince me to sign up, and the curling sessions rapidly became the best part of my week.
Is there any particular athlete that inspired you or that you considered to be legendary in this sport?
There are many athletes who are considered as legends in curling – I wouldn't say that I am inspired by any one in particular. I would like to pay tribute to the curling community around the world – it is very much volunteer-driven!
If you could explain curling to someone in a few words, what would it be?
An easy-to-learn ice team sport that all ages can play and have fun! It is also a sport deeply engrained in respect and honesty.
How often do you train at Equatorial Curling Club?
We aspire to hold sessions at least once a month subject to scheduling constraints. It hasn't been easy given all the Covid-19 restrictions, but we persevere on. We also try to hold overseas training and competition trips where our members get to play on a very high level of curling ice.
Have you taken part in curling competitions as a professional athlete? Share with us a memorable experience.
I am not a professional athlete. In fact only the very top rungs of curlers are. My biggest level of formal competition is at University level when I took part in two successive USA College Curling Championships. The Equatorial Curling Club does have members who have competed at professional tournaments and we have sent teams to both friendly and competitive competitions.
There are too many memorable moments to pick one – it wouldn't be fair to the others! The satisfying thing about those competitions is seeing all the hard work and drills come together and pay off for the team. Getting to meet opposition of varying levels is also very humbling.
What do you love most about this sport, and what is the most challenging part of it?
I personally enjoy the cerebral aspect of it - curling is sometimes described as chess on ice due to being a turn-based sport and the need to always be thinking ahead of the situation. Getting my thrown rock to the exact spot I wanted it to go is always a nice feeling too.
What are the main skills needed to succeed in this sport?
A good sense of balance is always useful – no prior ice experience is needed! One thing that people tend not to realize is that the decent amount of stamina is needed for a full curling match particularly if you are sweeping - it's a proper workout. There is a reason why a sweepers are usually just wearing t-shirts while on the ice!
Is there a future for curling in Singapore?
Despite huge challenges like costs, conditions, and resources, we are determined to stay and expand. Our ultimate goals are to represent Singapore at formal international championships, and to expand curling in Singapore.
Find out more about the Equatorial Curling Club here
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