Growing the Game in Swift Current
Swift Current Curling Club: Thinking Outside the Hack
In Swift Current, curling isn’t just a winter pastime — it’s a community connection built on creativity, inclusion, and a genuine love for the sport. At the Swift Current Curling Club, that passion has translated into a culture of innovation where tradition meets fresh thinking.
Club manager and long-time curler Chris Haichert knows that growing the game means adapting to how people live today. “Everyone’s busy,” he explained. “We needed to find ways for people to curl without feeling overcommitted.” The result was the club’s now-famous Monday Night Beer League, where teams can have unlimited players and rotate who plays each week. The concept is simple — show up when you can, have fun, and make curling fit your life. The model has proven so popular that it’s drawn in firefighters, nurses, shift workers, and new curlers who might never have joined a traditional league.
Inclusivity is another cornerstone of Swift Current’s approach. The club has made a concerted effort to welcome new Canadians and diverse communities into the rink. Groups like the local Filipino and East Indian communities have been invited to use the facility for free, complete with on-ice instruction and time in the lounge to celebrate together. By combining curling with familiar cultural elements — karaoke, food, and fun — the club is breaking barriers and making the sport more approachable. “We realized these groups just needed a comfortable space to try curling,” said Haichert. “Once they’re out there, they love it.”
Swift Current has also invested heavily in programs for beginners, with special focus on creating welcoming environments where new curlers can learn without fear or intimidation. The club’s Ladies Learn to Curl program is a standout success — a six-week series that fills up every time it’s offered. Women of all ages come together for instruction, camaraderie, and laughter, complete with post-game gatherings in the lounge. Many graduates have gone on to form new teams, joining leagues and bringing their friends along.
Behind the scenes, the club’s growth is also powered by a modern mindset toward marketing and partnerships. From clever viral social media moments — like Haichert’s now-famous “Ocean Spray pebbling” video — to professional livestreaming that attracts national attention, Swift Current has found ways to make curling visible far beyond city limits. Their innovative live camera system has reached nearly a million viewers worldwide, giving sponsors unprecedented exposure and drawing new partnerships that strengthen the club financially.
Inclusivity extends beyond culture and gender — it’s about accessibility too. Swift Current has invested in push sticks, accessible entryways, and equipment for adaptive curlers to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, has a chance to play. “If someone says they can’t curl, we find a way to make it possible,” said Haichert.
Today, the Swift Current Curling Club is thriving. Every league is full, waiting lists are growing, and the energy inside the rink is contagious. The club’s approach is simple but powerful: make curling fun, make it flexible, and make it for everyone.
Haichert credits much of the success to a dedicated team of volunteers and passionate staff who love curling and the community it builds. “It takes the right people,” he said. “When you have passion in your club, everything else follows.”
Swift Current’s story is a shining example of what can happen when a curling club embraces change while staying true to the spirit of the game. By opening its doors wider than ever, the club isn’t just filling the ice — it’s growing a stronger, more connected curling community for the future.
Three Ways Swift Current Curling Club is Growing the Game
- Creative, flexible leagues that fit people’s busy lives — like the rotating Beer League that welcomes shift workers and newcomers alike.
- Inclusive community outreach that invites new Canadians, families, and first-time curlers to experience the sport in a fun, welcoming setting.
- Innovative marketing and partnerships, including livestreaming and sponsorship models that expand the club’s reach and financial sustainability.
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