Don't try to tell me it isn't a sport

I've curled for more years than I'm going to admit to.  It's a great game requiring skill, concentration and a love of alcohol.  Actually, that last bit is optional but it represents the after-game social aspect which is an integral part of the experience.  Anyway, during every Olympics, I sit by and listen to my friends and colleagues saying "gee, that curling is good to watch but it isn't a sport".   And I just nod and smile and think to myself that it isn't worth the argument.  Well not anymore!

I haven't been in many bonspiels (tournaments for those not up on the curling lingo) in recent years but was in one this weekend.  We played 3-10 end games (actually 2-11 enders and 1-9 ender).  Between the last two games our team had a break of about 20 minutes.  We didn't expect to be in the final.  After 4 ends in the 1st of these last 2 we were down 7 to 1 but came back to win in the 11th end. We played this game as hard as we could to cut down some of the other team's lead so we could go home feeling good about our play.  Well, surprise, surprise, we're in the B final.  This was exciting.  Except we now had about 20 minutes to refuel and get back on the ice.  We lost the last game, primarily because we were exhausted.  The other team had more than an hour to rest and it showed.  The fact that they are frequently in bonspiels meant that their endurance level is likely better.  Our team was a hastily thrown together mix of people who thought it would be fun to play in this one.

While I've always known it, I have fully confirmed for myself that curling is a sport.  At the end of sweeping desperately to get a rock in place, I felt muscle fatigue in my arms - a sport.  My heart was pumping - a sport.  I was breathing hard - a sport.  I had to find my energy reserves - a sport.  When I went to bed I fell asleep instantly because I was total body exhausted - a sport.

The "not a sport" proponents say it isn't a sport because you don't have to be in shape to play it - you don't have to be in shape to play tennis either.  At the recreational level, anyone can play.  That's the beauty of these games.  They say that it doesn't look very hard - a lot of sports look easy when someone good is playing them.

So for those who think it isn't a sport, play back to back for 20 ends (approx. 6 hours) and get back to me.  It is a sport and if you tell me otherwise, I'll disagree.  But try it, it is really fun.