The ice was buzzing with excitement as the Corr Grain Community Rocks Curling Tour made its way through West Central Saskatchewan, bringing Olympic hopefuls and a passion for curling to youth in Unity, Kindersley, and Denzil.
The tour, led by 2018 World Mixed Doubles Bronze Medallists Laura Walker and Kirk Muyres, kicked off on January 28 in Unity, continued on January 29 in Kindersley, and wrapped up on January 30 in Denzil. Now in its 13th year, the initiative aims to inspire young curlers across the province by teaching skills, promoting teamwork, and most importantly, making the sport fun.
“It’s crazy how time flies—we’ve been doing this for 13 years now,” said Kirk Muyres. “We’ve travelled to every corner of Saskatchewan, doing about 40 or 45 of these camps over the years. This year, we decided to focus on the West Central part of the province, and it’s been amazing to see the kids come out, have fun, and get excited about curling.”
The events featured a mix of on-ice drills, games, and off-ice discussions, where Walker and Muyres shared stories from their careers, including playing on TV and competing internationally. While some kids may dream of becoming Olympic champions, the duo emphasized that curling offers something for everyone—whether it’s a path to elite competition, a way to stay active, or simply an opportunity to build friendships and community.
“When we were 10 years old, we were lucky to have the chance to start curling,” said Muyres. “We just want to give that opportunity back to kids, whether they want to chase medals or just have fun with friends at the rink.”
Walker and Muyres highlighted how curling is a sport for all ages and abilities.
“It doesn’t matter if you’re nine or ninety—if your knees work or they don’t, there’s a spot for you in curling,” said Muyres. “The beauty of it is that when you walk into a curling rink, you’re part of a community. Whether it’s here in Saskatchewan or halfway around the world in Japan, curling clubs always feel like home.”
The sentiment resonated in Denzil, where the local curling club saw firsthand the impact of hosting elite athletes.
“We had an incredible time hosting Laura and Kirk,” said Michelle Sieben from the Denzil Curling Club. “Seeing how much it meant to our young curlers was amazing. For many of them, having athletes of this calibre right here in our small-town rink made the sport feel more real and attainable. You could see it in their eyes—it was a moment they won’t forget.”
The Community Rocks Curling Tour isn’t just about teaching skills; it’s about building confidence and fostering a love for the sport.
“For some kids, curling will become a lifelong passion. For others, it’s just a fun way to stay active and meet people,” said Muyres. “But whatever the outcome, we hope they leave the rink feeling confident and excited to try new things.”
Over in Kindersley organizers also praised having Kirk and Laura in igniteing their youth curlers.
We were so fortunate to be able to host Kirk and Laura at the Kindersley Curling Club! Their passion & encouragement helped ignite our Junior Curlers as we head into the 2nd half of our curling season! Huge thank you to not only Kirk and Laura for coming but also to their sponsors. said Lexie Adamson with Kindersley Curling Club
The excitement generated by the tour has left a lasting impact on the communities involved.
“The excitement this created in our club, especially for our young curlers, is something truly special,” said Sieben. “If anyone is interested in getting involved in curling, we’d love to welcome you to the club. It’s a great way to stay active, have fun, and be a part of an amazing community.”
For more information about the Community Rocks Curling Tour and upcoming events, visit www.walkermuyrescurling.com or contact your local curling club.