A group of 20 curlers ended a two-week tour of Canada at the Gibsons Curling Club last Friday.
The group from Nairn, Scotland started their tour in Chilliwack with stops in Langley, Whistler, North Shore Winter Club and Richmond - all part of a 100-year party for the group.
"Our club in Nairn is celebrating our centennial year. We started in 1907," said Michael Green. "We're marking the occasion with lots of events, but thought what better way to mark it than with a tour, and there is no better place to come than Canada."
Green said club president Alistair Asher was instrumental in getting the tour off the ground.
"We knew a few people here. We made some calls. They made some calls, and before we knew it, we were here," said Green. "It's been a fabulous two weeks for us. We participated in a spiel in Chilliwack, played a lot of golf, did everything you can do in Whistler from skiing to snowboarding to snowmobiling, played at the North Shore Winter Club, which was fabulous - what a first-class curling club. We took in the B.C. men's curling final in Langley, and now we're curling here in Gibsons. The hospitality has been tremendous. There was a piper waiting for us when we got off the ferry today. That was super.
"The standard of curling in Canada is, naturally, very high. The competition has been great, and the fellowship has been even better. We've been treated like kings."
The day at the club was just one of several events on the Coast linked to Spirit of BC Week.
Events were also held at the Sunshine Coast Arena, Gibsons Aquatic Centre and Dakota Ridge.
"All of us on the Spirit of BC 2010 Sunshine Coast Community Committee are thrilled with the turnout we got at our Spirit week events and the positive feedback we received," said Nancy Hache, Spirit of BC Week organizer. "Now we will get working on next year's events so we can put together a 2008 Spirit of BC Week here on the Sunshine Coast that covers all communities and offers even more for the public to get out to and enjoy."
