They may be shorter than the brooms themselves, but that didn't stop over 60 of Inuvik's most eager young curlers from giving the game a throw at the third annual Rock Star Festival Feb. 9 at the Inuvik Curling Club.
Kids from ages five to nine-years-old formed teams and played half ends, bringing eight games apiece to the four-lane rink.
"It was just an idea I came up with regards to getting more kids to experience curling," said club president Nick Saturnino. "The kids play three ends, or thirty minutes of play. It's a fun day for the kids."
Ultimately, the tournament came down to an extra end to determine the winner of the six-foot trophy, with the 5-year-olds coming out on top, proving size doesn't matter in this game.
Awards were handed out for the top teams in age five, six, seven, and eight plus nine. Kids also won $5 apiece for each win.
"Each age plays down to a division champion," said Saturnino. "So there will be four age division champions who each get a little trophy, then those teams play for the big trophy."
Of course, all that curling builds up an appetite, and the club was happy to provide that too. The kids alternated their curling bonspiel with a pizza and ice cream party for their efforts.
In the end, Saturnino said the festival was on the heels of the Canadian North bonspiel, which ran from Feb. 5-8 and hosted eight teams. In the end, team Mel Sittichinli won the adult circuit.
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