Register for the Hog-many Bonspiel as a team or as an individual looking to be put together on a team.
This ugly trophy will go to the proud winner of the Hog-many Bonspiel's ugly Christmas sweater contest, courtesy of Ron McKay and his impeccable bad taste!
Lola Holmes, world's oldest curler, passes away
Lola with the yellow rock handle produced to honour her 100th birthday.
Sadly, we have lost a legend and a curling family friend. VCC member Lola Holmes was not curling this season but had been recognized by Guinness in recent years as the world’s oldest active curler. Lola passed away peacefully on Nov. 2 in her Vancouver home at the age of 103. Dear Lola was a vivacious gal, full of fun and spunk. She truly loved life as much as the game of curling and we at the Vancouver Curling Club loved her. She was highly competitive on the rink and so sociable off the rink. Lola was born on the family farm in Luseland, Saskatchewan on Sept. 16, 1918. She was an avid tennis player and swimmer.
Lola graduated from the University of Toronto in 1953, where she met her husband Sid and started her 30-plus-year public health nursing career, being forced out of the workplace by retirement laws of the day at age 65. During her professional working career Lola had two boys, Aubrey in 1954 and Dene 1957. Lola settled down in Sudbury, Ontario, where she was very active (surprise, surprise) in the community with the University of Women’s Club, bridge playing, weekends at camp, summer trips to Cochin, Saskatchewan to visit her parents, a little curling, Easter breaks to Florida, a full-time job and a full-time mom. Lola and Sid moved to Vancouver in 1984, where her community work continued. She was a co-founder of the Vancouver Newcomers Club, which through hours of work, organization, and talking on the phone set the stage for a club now enjoyed by hundreds of newcomers to this city. Her knowledge and love for bridge and socializing were brought to new highs with her involvement in many bridge leagues.
Lola could also be seen several days a week walking up through the park to the Kerrisdale Community Centre to take part in yoga, swimming or tai chi. On the way back home, there would be a stop at Tim Hortons on 41st Avenue for that sacred black coffee and a walnut crunch. Whenever Lola was home, around 4:30 pm it was always “happy hour” time and a “sip” of sherry. Lola’s real love of life was found in socializing, fun and exercise, and talking on the phone. She found all of these things in curling; it truly was her passion.
Lola took up curling again at the young age of 80, after first having curled at 24-years-old. She enjoyed it and she was good at it. She participated in every bonspiel she could and always created a great costume to match the event. Apparently, the Guys & Gals Bonspiel was one of her favorites. One of her prouder moments was being recognized by her fellow curlers for her achievements and earning lifetime member statis with the Vancouver Ladies’ Curling Club. She was gifted with an honourary yellow rock handle at age 100 that is in use on sheet 3. Lola pushed onward and at age 101 years, 196 days proudly found a place in the Guinness World Records, achieving the statis of oldest active curler on the planet. She was very thankful to have the Vancouver Curling Club sponsor her in this lifetime achievement.
Lola loved the sport of curling; it was competitive, yet lots of fun and it gave her the exercise and social aspect that she thrived on. She always spoke highly and with enthusiasm of all the friends she made through her days of curling. Lola Holmes was certainly an asset to the Vancouver Curling Club and will be dearly missed by all those that knew her. Thanks, Lola, for all you have done for the sport of curling. You have earned a special place in our hearts. May you rest in peace.
VCC curlers at Canadian senior women's championship next month
VCC practice members Grace MacInnes (far right) and Diane Gushulak (second from right) will be part of the BC team at the Everest Canadian Senior Curling Championships in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario from December 6-11. They won the BC senior women's title last month in Abbotsford as lead and second on the Mary-Anne Arsenault team that includes third Penny Shantz. Arsenault curled for years as second on Colleen Jones' team in Halifax, winning five Canadian and two world championships. She recently moved to Kelowna and is also curling in women's competitions with Kelly Scott's former teammates. Grace and Diane were also on the BC team together at the 2009 Scotties Tournament of Hearts.
New Monday beginners' league running for the second half of the season
VCC is introducing a new 10-week beginners' league on Monday evenings, running Jan. 10 to Mar. 2, with draw times alternating between 6:45 pm and 9:00 pm. The league is suitable for curlers who are fairly new to the game, but have at least taken a learn-to-curl program. Curlers can register for the Monday Beginners' League with a full or partial team or as individuals. We will put people together on teams as needed. Click here for more information and registration.
Charity Skins Bonspiel - Looking for Silent Auction Donations
The Charity Skins Bonspiel, being held in late March, will be once again supporting Rainbow Refugee Vancouver.
If any members or businesses wish to make a donation for either the raffle prizes or silent auction, they would be welcomed.
Please contact Kathy McInnes at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Book a lesson with a high performance coach
VCC has a trio of high performance coaches who can help your game with a one-hour individual or team lesson. Al Moore (left) has coached two Swiss women's teams to world championship titles while working for many years as a national program coach. Tyler Tardi is a former world junior champion and third on the Tyler Tardi team, one of BC's best men's teams. Heather Beatty is a level 3 coach and Contact membership services coordinator Richard Brower at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 604-874-0122 to book a lesson.
More learn-to-curl programs and novice leagues starting in January
Five-week learn-to-curl programs and Saturday night novice leagues will continue in the second half of the season. Saturday night programs start Jan. 8 and Feb. 26. There's also a Thursday LTC program at 4:30 pm that starts Jan. 13. Curlers can start out with a LTC program and then curl in the Saturday Novice League afterwards.
Want to be one of the next faces of curling?
This is your chance on Saturday Dec 11th 4:45pm - 6:45pm!
Curling Canada is looking for volunteer curlers to be in a Photoshoot at the VCC on December 11th. We want to capture you experiencing the sport of curling - the challenges, the excitement and the sense of community! So bring a friend, wear something fun and colourful, for a fun night of curling on us! We'll be looking for all ages (18+), abilities and experience levels. Free games as part of a mini 2 hour tournament!
Free food and a beverage will be provided too!
Sign up if you'd like to attend here:
https://vancouver.curling.io/en/events/11589-curling-canada-photoshoot-sign-up
Deadline to Register is Sunday Dec 4th!