Photo caption ‘Pete Wicklund demonstrating his new skill with style’.

There is a misconception in some peoples’ minds that the ability to learn new skills diminishes with age.  A venerable member of the Oliver Curling Club is in the process of dispelling that myth.  Pete Wicklund is a long-time curler and a bit of a traditionalist, who believed that delivering a stone in the conventional manner (that is by hand from the hack) is the proper way to go. Many curlers find that aging makes that method more and more difficult as hips, knees and backs start to stiffen.  Pete, however, persevered and was determined to do it right even into his eighties. A few years ago, Pete had a bit of an accident that caused him, eventually, to re-evaluate that determination.

Pete is also an avid golfer and, at the end of 18 holes one day, Pete and his buddies were a tad overeager to get to the 19^th hole.  The way it was reported to me, a race ensued and, while attempting to round a hairpin turn at breakneck speed (about 4 km/hr), Pete’s cart overturned.  Since golf carts are not approved for racing and have no seat belts, Pete was thrown out and suffered an injury to his right shoulder.  In spite of the discomfort, when curling season came again, Pete tried valiantly to use his conventional delivery.  It didn’t go well, as the injured shoulder would not let him deliver a rock with his former authority.  This year, Pete has adapted and is using a stick for delivery, proving that you do not even need to teach old dogs new tricks, they can teach themselves.

Stay tuned for results from the Eastlink Challenge bonspiel, November 8^th, 9^th and 10^th.