Mountain Pacific Curling Association

Continental Cup Ticket Giveaway is Here!

November 27, 2018 / Sonia Montero / Comments Off

Here’s a chance to see world-class curling in person – in our region.

Watching the 2019 World Financial Group Continental Cup is a great way to start the new year. Two winners per eligible MoPac club will receive tickets to all games January 17-20, 2019 in Las Vegas!! (Travel and Hotel not included.) Tickets to be awarded in the spirit of giving back to the curling community.

Hey curlers, contact your clubs for specific contest requirements and guidelines for this..and remember to share your love of curling with the world. http://LasVegasCurling.rocks #VegasRocks @LVCurlingRocks

Thanks to @VegasCurlingRocks for their support

Winners agree to participate in MoPac, USCA and Las Vegas Rocks promotion, including photos and interviews.

2018 Summer Wrap-up: Highlights!

September 4, 2018 / Sonia Montero / Comments Off

It has been quite an active summer for member clubs in the MoPac region. Bonspiels, learn-to-curls, summer leagues, clinics, outreach events – we saw them all. Here are some highlights.

Golden Gate Bonspiel 2018 Opening Ceremony

Kudos again to the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club & the Silicon Valley Curling Club for kicking summer off with a fantastic Golden Gate Bonspiel.

Attendees, instructors & coaches at Junior Camp

Hotter than Hell Bonspiel

Cache Valley Stone Society & Coeur d’Alene Curling Club, among others, held learn-to-curl events for eager newbies. Coyotes Curling Club saw it all – they hosted the 2nd Annual AZ Junior Curling Camp (part of US Junior Curling Camps) – giving the next generation a chance to learn under the guidance of USCA certified instructors and coaches. Their No Ice, No Broom, No Problem Shuffleboard Pub Crawl was rousing fun and the Hotter Than Hell Bonspiel at Coyotes Curling Club also brought old and new friends together for a fun spiel in the dessert.

And speaking of heat, Hollywood Curling sizzled with events – hosting the largest bonspiel in the region as well as opening a third location in the Los Angeles area. (See the full story here.)

Boise Curling Club enjoyed a summer party and managed to bring the floor curl out into the sunshine. Utah Olympic Oval Curling Club‘s rink got an update to its chilling equipment in anticipation of a busy season. Curl San Diego enjoyed success at the Blockbuster Megaspiel and began planning its Fall activities in July!

Las Vegas Curling Club kept it cool with new scoreboards and a summer league that included ‘The Accelerator’ in their Summer League finals – sounds impressive. Granite Curling Club of California shared the love of curling in Riverside, California and collaborated with instruction on the basics of preparing arena ice for curling sessions. Salt Lake Magazine – Best of the Beehive Edition voted Park City Curling Club the best sports club to join for post-Olympic fever. And Silicon Valley Curling Club practiced their broomstacking skills and even took in a bit of lawn bowling. Woah! Orange County Curling Club hosted the Rock the Derby Mini Cashspiel – complete with bowties, fedoras and frilly hats.

Horses await their jockeys at Rock the Derby

Rounding out the summer season, Wine Country Curling Club & the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club hosted the NorCal Curling Clinic.

NorCal Curling Clinic debriefing

The Crush 2018 Opening Ceremony

Wine County also got busy with the famed Crush Bonspiel as the final summer hoorah. Nice job to all the Clubs. Thanks also to all the clubs for their photos. Now on to Fall 2018!!

Summer 2018 Wrap-up: Hollywood Curling Sets a Record

August 14, 2018 / Sonia Montero / Comments Off

If you look online for things to do in the Los Angeles area you will see famous attractions such as Rodeo Drive, Pink’s and the Hollywood sign but there is also great curling to be had with the folks at Hollywood Curling.

The Club which has been in existence since 2007 boasts a growing presence in the greater Los Angeles area. As with many curling clubs in the US, Hollywood Curling saw an increase in community interest after the men’s US gold medal performance. “We spiked from 70 members in January to 152 members in July” says Club President Liza Beres. “We are also celebrating the tenth year of our annual bonspiel” And celebrate they did.

The 2018 Summer Blockbuster Megaspiel held this past July broke records as the largest spiel in California’s and MoPac Curling Association’s histories. With a record-breaking 56 teams curling on two different rinks the event took over their Ice Station Valencia rink location. Despite the 117 degree heat the Ice Station was a respite of coolness – on and off the ice. Not only were the stands packed during the Saturday night celebrity match but the magical “bonspiel spirit” (that binds commrades-in-arms at such events) was stronger and more palpable among attendees this year.

Participants in celebrity match 2018

Blockbuster Megaspiel Awards

Such successful events cannot happen unless you have the bonspiel volunteers ready to jump into their roles. President Beres notes that this year her Bonspiel Committee out did itself – with bonspiel-seasoned volunteers knowing what needed to happen and making the significant contribution in time and positive energy. In particular, the ever-hard working ice crew was tasked with preparing and maintaining two rinks of ice during the same bonspiel. The famed ‘S.L.UT’s (Salt Lake, Utah crew) stepped up their game and were among the first to volunteer. As with any bonspiel, the ice crew is a critical part of a successful event and planning for the Megaspiel revolved around the S.L.UTs’ needs in preparing the ice. The actual ice prep began two months before the bonspiel using a laser to measure and conduct heat maps for the Zamboni to troubleshoot.

Photos courtesy of Hollywood Curling

The off-ice volunteers were just as vital. From registration to broomstacking to awards, the volunteers kept the show going strong. President Beres gives much credit to her “incredible team” including the industrious mother-daughter partnership of Debbie and Miranda Heaslip. “They make it look easy,” she says.

But how will Hollywood Curling follow up the Megaspiel next year? “We’re in talks” quips President Beres. She warns that although we may not see another 56-team event and that this year was a special anniversary/Olympics/newbie curler bonanza – we should still expect perhaps a 40 to 44-team spiel. They want to see as many curlers return as possible. “The growth of curling is changing the face of curling” No doubt Hollywood Curling will be part of the large expansion of curling in the West!

Interested in Hollywood Curling?

They currently run 4 weekly draws over 12 sheets at the Ice Station Valencia -5 sheets, Pasadena Ice Skating -4 sheets and Promenade Ice Chalet (Palos Verde) -3 sheets. Look for more info at their website:

https://www.hollywoodcurling.org/

FBF: McCall Rocktober Spiel

February 15, 2018 / BriAnna / Comments Off

The McCall Curling Club’s hosted their 13th annual Rocktoberspiel this past October. The curling tournament fielded 15 teams with players from McCall Curling Club, Boise Curling Club, Moscow, Idaho; Ogden Curling Club and Park City Curling Club, Utah; San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club, California; Missoula Curling Club, Montana; Denver Curling Club, Colorado; Spokane, Washington; and, Chaska Curling Center, Minnesota.

The bonspiel is the McCall Curling Club’s annual fundraiser. All proceeds support the local club to promote and grow the sport of curling in McCall.

The Ogden team of Charles Taggart, Eddie Rubey, Mark Rubey and Ben Womack beat the Park City, Utah team to win the A event.

The Boise team of Rob Hanson, Jared Belsher, Vince Carlson and Craig Paprocki beat the Missoula and Ogden team to win the B event.

The Chaska and Ogden team of Sapa Carlson, Steven Butler, Mike Dellos and Thora Erikson beat a McCall team to win the C event.

5 people standing holding champion's glassware

The Champions from left to right: Ben Womack skip, Mark Rubey, that me in the middle, Eddie Ruby, Charles Taggart.

The Champions from left to right: Ben Womack skip, Mark Rubey, McCall President Michele Applebee in the middle, Eddie Ruby, Charles Taggart.

#flashbackfriday #fbf #curling #goodcurling #bonspiel

2018 MoPac Playdowns Registration Information Available!

September 2, 2017 / BriAnna / Comments Off

Registration Information is available for the upcoming competitive season!

2018 USA Curling Club National Championships

MoPac Men’s Playdown: November 30, 2017 – December 3, 2017 (Evergreen CC)

MoPac Women’s Playdown: December 15-17, 2017 (Evergreen CC)

Registration period: September 6, 2017 – November 1, 2017, early registration ends October 18, 2017

Registration fees: $440 (USCA fee) + $150 (MoPac fee) = $590/team, $147.50/player

Registration link: http://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=769668

National Event: February 8-17, 2018 (Brainerd Lakes Curling Association Minnesota)

More information: http://www.mopacca.org/events/club-national/2018clubs/ OR

https://cms.teamusa.org//USA-Curling/Events/Championships-microsite/Inside-the-Championships/National-Championship-Events/2017-Club-National-Championships

2018 USA Curling Mixed National Championships

MoPac Mixed Playdown: January 5, 2018 – January 7, 2018 (Coyotes CC)

Registration period: September 6, 2017 – November 29, 2017, early registration ends November 15, 2017

Registration fees: $440 (USCA fee) + $150 (MoPac fee) = $590/team, $147.50/player

Registration link: http://leagues.bluesombrero.com/Default.aspx?tabid=769668

National Event: March 23-31, 2018 (Dakota CC, Minnesota)

More information: http://www.mopacca.org/events/mixed-national/2018mixed/ OR

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/Events/Championships-microsite/Inside-the-Championships/National-Championship-Events/2017-Mixed-National-Championship

2018 USA Curling U-18 National Championship

MoPac Selection Application: http://www.mopacca.org/events/junior-national-championship/2018u18/

Registration period: Applications due November 15, 2017

Registration fees: $300 (USCA fee)/team, $75/player

National Event: February 20-25, 2018 (Bemidji CC, Minnesota)

More information:

http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling/Events/Championships-microsite/Inside-the-Championships/National-Championship-Events/2017-U18-National-Championships

2018 Playdown Announcement

June 19, 2017 / BriAnna / Comments Off

Announcing the playdown dates for the upcoming season!

Club Nationals

Men’s Playdown: November 30 – December 3, 2017 (Evergreen CC)

Women’s Playdown: December 15-17, 2017 (Evergreen CC)

National Tournament: February 8-17, 2018 (Brainerd Lakes Curling Association, Minnesota)

Information Page: http://www.mopacca.org/events/club-national/2018clubs/

Evergreen Curling Club has a preferred rate of $79 with the Shilo Inn Beaverton, 9900 Canyon Road, Portland OR 97225. The rate includes breakfast for either a room with one king or two queen beds. Call the hotel directly at 1-503-297-2551 and ask for the ‘Evergreen Curling Club rate.’ Online reservations are not available at this time.

Mixed Nationals:

MoPac Playdown: January 5-7, 2018 (Coyotes CC)

National Tournament: March 23-31, 2018 (Location TBD)

Information Page: http://www.mopacca.org/events/mixed-national/2018mixed/

Under 18 Nationals:

Application process opening in the fall

Information Page: http://www.mopacca.org/events/junior-national-championship/2018u18/

and here is the link to the USCA championship schedule: http://www.teamusa.org/…/insid…/national-championship-events

2017 Competitive Wrap-Up

June 12, 2017 / BriAnna / Comments Off

As the days get warmer and the ice begins to heat up (looking at you California Bonspiel season!) we wanted to take a moment to review what was an amazing season of MoPac competitive curling! We had regional representatives from U18s to Seniors – and all levels in between. Here’s a quick wrap up of the participation and photos of (most of the team to boot).

Did we miss you? Email president@mopacca.org with your information and photo!

Our next MoPac round-up will be celebrating our lively bonspielers- send us your favorite pics: mopacca.secretary@gmail.com

Inspired to playdown next season, announcements for playdowns on the 2018 season will be available this week – and playdowns will be coming faster than you think!

USCA Junior National Championships – Western Playdown

Team Altus (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) Daniel Altus, Marc Tsogbe, Jimmy Williams, Jason Altus

USCA Under-18 National Championships

Team Irvin (Evergreen Curling Club) Lily Irvin, Maya Horten, Clara Mays, Elsa Naimo

Team Morley (Evergreen Curling Club/San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) Casey Morley, Marty Hill, Asa Bensaid, Nelson Rogers

USCA Arena National Championships

Team Stengle (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) Julie Stengle, Monica Hernandez, Heather Kopeck, Kristina Lugo

Team Feldman (Wine County Curling Club) Katie Feldman, Porsche Renae Stephenson, Auria Moore, Laura Lunetta

Team Raju (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) PN Raju, Cameron Kim, Anthony Del Porto, Jonathan Ochoco

Team Markowski (Wine Country Curling Club) David Markowski, Camren Spangler, Evan Elliott, Brian Feldman

Pacific International Cup

Arizona (Coyotes Curling Club) Marnie Devlin, Tracy Heuermann, Beki Nowlan, Megan Groh

California (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) TC Altus, Erin Rhode, Erin McInrue, Kate Garfinkel

Nevada (Lake Tahoe Epic Curling) Edie Hazard, Becca Kelble, Julie McCaan, Chris Sullivan

Oregon (Evergreen Curling Club) Lily Irvin, Maya Horten, Clara Mays, Elsa Naimo

Arizona (Coyotes Curling Club) Mike Siggins, Adam Endicott, Carl Thompson, Tom Dukerich

California (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) Jesus Barajas, Richard Chin, Erik Jensen, Brian Davidson

Nevada (Lake Tahoe Epic Curling) Eric Hazard, Rick Gardner, Ray Sidney, Michael Lynn, Larry Sidney

Oregon (Evergreen Curling Club) Jim Smoltz, Cory Fiendell, Eric Hemesath, Matt Starr

USCA Club National Championships

Team Walsh (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club) Sarah Walsh, Kim Chapin, BriAnna Weldon, Pam Montbach

Team Naso (Coyotes Curling Club) Carol Ann Naso, Luba Brock, Tracey Drummond, Tracy Heuermann

Team Schaak (Evergreen Curling Club) Doug Schaak, Roger Chan, Adam Seymour, Jimmy Satem

USCA Mixed National Championships

Team Mendoza (Hollywood Curling Club) Paul Mendoza, Miranda Heaslip, Tim Mendoza, Jennifer Gamboa

USCA Senior National Championships

Team Fairley (Evergreen Curling Club) Karen Fairley, Elaine Smith-Koop, Clara Martinez, Diane Keleher

Team Watson (Evergreen Curling Club) Kathryn Watson, Kathy Placek, Gail Starr, Cecile Baril

Team Naso (Coyotes Curling Club) Carol Ann Naso, Lu Brock, Debra Aubrey, Tracey Drummond

Team LeClair (Coyotes Curling Club) Bob LeClair, Greg Gallagher, Tom Danielson, Jeff Baird

USCA Mixed Doubles National Championships

Team Maxie: Steph Larson (Hollywood Curling Club), Fred Maxie (Coyotes Curling Club)

USCA Nationals

Team Wood: Becca Wood (Denver CC), Donna Umali (Hollywood Curling Club), Auria Moore (Wine Country Curling Club), Porsche Renae Stephenson (Wine Country Curling Club) Coach Darryl Horsman

WCT Curling Tour/ USCA Nationals Challenge Round

Team Horsman: Darryl Horsman (Coyotes Curling Club), Mike Greenberg (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club), Eric Kowal (Coyotes Curling Club), Brian Patrick (San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club), Wes Seeger (Coyotes Curling Club)

Team Siggins: Bob LeClair, Mike Siggins, Tom Danielson, Jeff Baird

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2017 International Tankard Selections

February 22, 2017 / admin / Comments Off

The MoPac International Tankard Committee is proud to announce its representatives for the 2017 Tankard to take place at the Marpole CC in Vancouver, British Columbia, March 17-19th. Congratulations to all…and have a great time!

2017 Tankard Participants

George Lightner, Missoula Curling Club

Jared Belsher, Boise Curling Club

Ben Womack, Ogden Curling Club

Richard Cruz, Hollywood Curling

2017 Volunteer Honorees

Lesley Brownlee, Utah Olympic Oval Curling

Kevin Ryan, San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club

Lindsay Estabrooks, Coyotes Curling Club

Carl Thompson, Coyotes Curling Club

Thank you to ALL our volunteers who make our region so special and a wonderful place to curl.

MoPac Club Nationals – Draw & Updates

January 4, 2017 / BriAnna / Comments Off

Below you’ll find the link to the 2017 Club Playdowns and online updates (as long as the wifi holds)! Coyotes CC is planning to stream games as available.

http://tinyurl.com/jjluj2p

MoPac 5&U Registration

December 2, 2016 / admin / Comments Off

Registration for the MoPac 5&U opened today. Please see the 5 and Under event page for more information.