At the Almonte Curling Club on Saturday, curlers were only allowed to throw rocks if they were left-handed. It was part of the club’s seventh annual Lefties Only Bonspiel, held in conjunction with Curling Day in Canada. “We’re 10 per cent of the population and roughly 10 per cent of curlers, so we are unique,” said Art McKay, chair of the Lefties Curling Committee in Almonte. “There’s not that many of us, but we’re really proud to curl left-handed and this is the day for us.” Curling Day in Canada says the initiative was started to continue finding innovative and creative ways to remain engaged and connected to the sport, and to support other curlers both on and off the ice. Over its seven years, McKay says the bonspiel has raised roughly $7,000 for the Lanark County Food Bank. McKay says the event is one of two lefty-only curling events in the country, the other hosted in Oakville, Ont. “When we get here, we get to enjoy the fact that we’re all just that little bit different from everybody else,” said left-handed curler David Sullivan, who won silver at last year’s Oakville bonspiel. “This is our safe space. This is where we get to come in and have fun and make fun of the right-handed people together.” There are quirky aspects to the Lefties Only Bonspiel, including the removal of the right hack on the ice and the requirement to shake hands left-handed. Lefty curler Don Campbell says it’s important to have a day to celebrate a sport drenched in Canadian pride. “It does not get enough exposure. Even as popular as it is, it still takes a backseat to hockey. But I don’t know that it should, because it’s also a fun sport. It’s very affordable and it’s just fun for all ages,” he said. The day of celebration comes on a weekend where Ottawa curling star Rachel Homan looks prepared to defend her Scotties Tournament of Hearts championship. Despite Homan throwing right-handed, Campbell says everyone at the Almonte Curling Club will be cheering her on. “I think she’s a very good chance of winning. I’ve followed her for a long time. It’s neat to see how dominant she’s become in the women’s game and we’re cheering for her, for sure,” Campbell said.
