Olympics have made curling cooler than ever

Happens every four years. Curling gets a bump. Then after the Olympics are over people turn back to hockey and the baseball season.

BTW, starting tomorrow, the Brier (men's national championship) from Halifax. And in fourteen days, the World's Women's from Swift Current - shows you where curling is popular. Canada will be represented by 2008 world's champion Jennifer Jones and her team from Winnipeg.

Its funny nobody ever mentions the Paralympics... Starting next week.

The last two Olympics have created at least one new curling fan, I know that. I watch it now, whenever I get a chance.

Something I'm noticing. More young people seem to be getting involved.

I have to admit that I never really watched curling prior to this Olympics, but something about this one made me a fan. Not a diehard fan, but I won't automatically switch to another channel the next time I come across it on TV.

I always liked curling. And it's really popular around where I live. Might have to go to some more open houses.

Strange, but when I was young everyone curled, both city and country folks. I'm now curling in a hangover league and there are about 5 people under the age of 40 playing. Maybe they don't want to come out on a sunday morning at 0930?

The one thing I can tell you is that if you get involved in curling, start going to bonspiels. Win or lose it'll be the best time of your life, if you can remember any of it.

And it's interesting to note that the two Canadian skips at Vancouver were about the oldest players competing at the Olympics, both 43.

And have you seen the PEI woman's team? There's 2 under twenty, and they're excellent. One is, I think 17, and she could be skipping our next Olympic team.

When curling first entered the Olympics they seemed much older. There was all that laughing at curling being an Olympic sport. I think you can link that to the old people playing. You don't hear those chuckles at the old gaffers curling in the Olympics any more.