NEWS ARCHIVES
SEPTEMBER CAMP SOLD OUT
September 5, 2007
The September 7-9, 2007 HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp is ready to roll. We are sold out with 104 curlers (and had a waiting list of almost a dozen with more calls coming in this past week.)
Featured celebrities at this camp are 2007 World Champion Craig Savill from Team Glenn Howard, Brier runner-up John Morris (from Team Martin), andUSA and World Champions Debbie McCormick and Nicole Joraanstad.
It should be a lot of fun. Watch for our 2008 dates.
DOUG MAXWELL PASSES AWAY
September 6, 2007
Former curling broadcaster, innovator, and publisher Doug Maxwell passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Friday, August 30th. Doug was very supportive of our camps, joining us as a guest speaker on a number of occasions to flog a new book, or just to tell some of the best curling stories you ever heard. The curling world mourns his loss.
REGISTRATIONS BEING ACCEPTED FOR 2008 CAMPS
November 9, 2007
Registration forms are now available (in pdf format) to download for our two Ontario camps in 2008. They will be held on August 22-24, 2008 and September 5-7, 2008 at the Oakville Curling Club in Oakville, Ontario (located about a half hour southwest of Toronto). As well, you can register by clicking on the REGISTRATION icon located in the header of this webpage. Please be aware that we are limiting the registrations to each camp to 80 curlers. If a third camp needs to be scheduled for later in September 08 or early October, we will advise. Also, please note that we’re still negotiating for two camps for the USA in 2008. Stay tuned.
DATES FOR 2008 CAMPS SET
September 6, 2007
The dates for our two Ontario camps for 2008 have been set. They will be held on August 22-24, 2008 and September 5-7, 2008 at the Oakville Curling Club. Registration forms will be posted on the website shortly. Also, we’re still working on a camp or two for the USA in 2008. Stay tuned.
SEPTEMBER CAMP SOLD OUT
September 5, 2007
The September 7-9, 2007 HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp is ready to roll. We are sold out with 104 curlers (and had a waiting list of almost a dozen with more calls coming in this past week.)
Featured celebrities at this camp are 2007 World Champion Craig Savill from Team Glenn Howard, Brier runner-up John Morris (from Team Martin), andUSA and World Champions Debbie McCormick and Nicole Joraanstad.
It should be a lot of fun. Watch for our 2008 dates.
DOUG MAXWELL PASSES AWAY
September 6, 2007
Former curling broadcaster, innovator, and publisher Doug Maxwell passed away after a lengthy battle with cancer on Friday, August 30th. Doug was very supportive of our camps, joining us as a guest speaker on a number of occasions to flog a new book, or just to tell some of the best curling stories you ever heard. The curling world mourns his loss.
AUGUST CAMP A BLAST!
Great ice, great food, and fantastic instruction made the August 24-26 camp a huge success. Our 73 campers were awed by the humility of reigning World Champions Glenn Howard and Brent Laing, who talked about the struggles of losing the 2006 Brier, but the ultimate joy of winning the 2007 Brier and World Championships. The boys autographed team photos, brooms, jackets, (no bras) and everything else that wasn’t nailed down. Capturing our Pat O’ Reid Achievement Awards were Karen McCulloch of Markham, Ontario who came to the camp with a tuck delivery and a will to make wholesale changes; another winner was Noreen Wills of Pickering, Ontario who played 212 games last year while managing her career as a teacher and mother. Her enthusiasm was contagious. Finally, the winner of an autographed curling broom was Callie Heppner of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, who attended the camp with her sister Cassie and father/coach Wayne Heppner.
ONLY A FEW SPOTS LEFTS FOR 2007 CAMPS
May 15, 2007
It’s time to get your name in for one the HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camps this summer. The August 24-26 camp in Oakvillehas less than 15 spots left. We will be accepting names on a waiting list when we sell out, so get your name in today! If the interest is there, we may expand the August camp to 88 or 96 curlers. Check back often for updates. The September 7-9 camp seems to be heading to a sell-out at 96 campers with tremendous interest in that weekend. We are still accepting registrations for the September camp but spots are going fast. There are less then two dozen spots left.
Call or email David Gravelle immediately to get your name in. He can be reached at 705-549-8975 or via email at davidgravelle@hotshotscurling.com
Entries are based on a first come – first served basis.
2007 CAMP DATES ANNOUNCED
November 15, 2006
We are pleased to announce that we will be returning to the Oakville Curling Club in 2007 for two camps.
The first camp will be held August 24-26, 2007 with the second camp scheduled for September 7-9, 2007. Each camp will accept up to 80 entries, so register early so you donât miss out.
Cost for the Oakville Camps will remain the same for this season at $729 + GST (Canadian Funds). This fee includes accommodation (double occupancy), all meals, workbook, curling jacket, video analysis, entertainment, socials with celebrities, and of course the world class instruction we are known for.
For more information, contact David Gravelle, Camp Director at info@hotshotscurling.com or at (705) 549-8975.
MADISON HOSTS FANTASY CAMP
November 12, 2006
We hit the road this year for the great state of Wisconsin and the Madison Curling Club, in McFarland, WI November 10-12, 2006. This is a first class six-sheet facility, with fabulous viewing area, lounge, kitchen, and locker rooms.
Thank you to club members Ericka Balgord and Vicki Mayr for being our hostesses for the weekend. Their hard work made the weekend a huge success. We had two new curlers from Chicago attend the camp. They had never been on the ice before. By the end of the weekend, Tad Eckert and Hilary Whitney were on their way back to the windy city to set the curling world on fire.
Congratulations to all of our campers who displayed an unprecedented âkeennessâ to learn from our instructors. We plan on making Madison an annual stop on the HOT SHOTS instructional camp tour. Stay tuned for dates.
BARRIE, ONTARIO HOSTS BOOT CAMP
November 6, 2006
The Barrie Curling Club, north of Toronto, played host to a two-day camp on November 4-5, 2006. We crammed our usual three day schedule into two busy days of curling instruction and game situation analysis. There were a few tired campers Sunday night, after dozens and dozens of repetitions. Thanks to Cathy Sauve, Robert McConnell, Alison Moen, Hallgeir Moen, and Kathryn OâConnor for helping make the camp a success. We plan on returning to Barrie in the near future, perhaps for a mid-season refresher camp. Stay tuned for dates.
TWO SPACES AVAILABLE FOR SEPTEMBER CAMP
September 2, 2006
We have two spots open for this upcoming weekend’s HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp in Oakville, Ontario. Contact David Gravelle at 705-549-8975 or via email at wow@csolve.net if you would like to attend.
Also, we have space available for our two-day Barrie, Ontario camp Nov. 4-5 and for our three-day Madison, Wisconsin camp Nov. 10-12. Spaces are limited so contact us asap to reserve your spot.
PAT O. REID ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WINNERS
August 29, 2006
Our camps would not be where they are today without the involvement of Pat O. Reid. Unfortunately, we lost Pat to a tragic car accident a few years ago. Curling was her life, as a mother, mentor, coach, instructor, official and... Read more > volunteer. Her son Trevor, wife Amy and new baby son Patrick were part of our August camp, and on hand to present the Pat O. Reid Achievement Awards to three deserving campers.
The first winner was Mitch Cherniak of Chelsea, Massachusetts who decided to come to the camp even after injuring his knee playing beach volleyball. With a brace on his knee and his goal of getting a balanced delivery that would slide past the house, Mitch dove into the camp head first and got as much out of the weekend as possible. (Just ask World Champion Glenn Howard who was asked to give Mitch a few minutes of one on one help, that lasted an hour, with Mitch tweaking his delivery (and not his bad knee) over and over again.) Mitch surpassed his goals with extraordinary dedication and enthusiasm.
The second winner was Lisa Doty of Dobbs Ferry, New York. I first met Lisa in her first session on the ice. She was in a group of beginners. We had each camper step onto the ice to get familiar with the slippery surface and walk to the far end and back to cool off their sliders. Lisa was very uncomfortable. She reminded me of Bambi on ice, shuffling her feet, and holding onto my arm so she wouldn’t fall. However, she attacked each session with enthusiasm and a never say die attitude and her balance and confidence increased with every drill. By the end of the weekend, fellow campers could not believe the transformation, and she was truly deserving of the award.
The third winner was Ginette Young of Burlington, Ontario. A relatively new curler, Ginette already had exceptional balance. She was now looking to fine tune her skills, and was an active participant in each session. Each instructor said the same thing; she had this zest for life that was contagious. During our Game Situation Analysis on Sunday, she made the comment that her glass wasn’t half full... it was full. Curling can change your life, and we congratulate Ginette, Lisa and Mitch for celebrating this great sport. Pat Reid would have been proud of these campers and all campers for their enthusiasm.
11th ANNUAL HOT SHOTS SEASON UNDERWAY
August 29, 2006
Our first HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp of 2006 just wrapped up this past weekend at the Oakville Curling Club. We had 65 campers take part, from ages 21 to some in their 70’s. Campers came from all across the United States and Ontario and Quebec. Everyone was pretty tired by Sunday afternoon, but extremely happy with the level of instruction and the camaraderie on the ice and... Read more > in the lounge.
Special thanks to our celebrity instructors Glenn Howard, George Karrys, John Epping, Earle Morris, Cheryl McPherson and Janet Murphy for their work with our campers.
A big “howdy” to two Texas cowboys who made the long trip to the camp from the Dallas/Fort Worth Curling Club. Dan Johnson and Andy Bahr were a big hit with their cowboy hats and Texas drawl. For more on their experiences visits Dan’s blog at dansbonspielblog.blogspot.com.
JUST A FEW SPACES LEFT FOR 2006 CAMPS
There are limited spaces available for the upcoming 2006 HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camps. If you and/or your teammates are considering attending one of these world class camps, book now so you are not disappointed. The HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp is the world leader in adult curling instruction providing the latest in instructional techniques. Our camps are ideal for beginner, novice and intermediate curlers. No experience is necessary. We also have curriculum targeted to advanced players and competitive teams, as well as âstickâ curlers. Contact David Gravelle at (705) 549-8975 or via email at davidgravelle@hotshotscurling.com to get more information or to register.... Read more >
August 26-28, 2006 - Oakville, Ontario
Entry Fee: $729 + tax
Featuring Two-Time World Champion Glenn Howard
Olympic Silver Medallist George Karrys, former Canadian Champion Cheryl McPherson and Team Australia Coach Earle Morris
* Less than 10 spots left
September 8-10, 2006 - Oakville, Ontario
Entry Fee: $729 + tax
Featuring USA and World Champion Debbie McCormick and teammates Nicole Joraanstad and Natalie Nicholson.
Also booked is Two-time World Junior Champion John Morris!
* Less than 10 spots left
October 27-29, 2006 - Duluth, Minnesota
Entry Fee: $599 USD + tax
* Space available
November 4-5, 2006 - Barrie Ontario
Entry Fee: $619 + tax
* Less than 24 spots left
November 10-12, 2006 - Madison, Wisconsin
Entry Fee: $599 + tax
* Space available
FANTASY CURLING CAMPS CONTINUE TO GROW
A sign the sport of curling is growing in popularity is the keen interest at the grassroots level, when beginner and novice curlers begin looking for instruction.
That’s proved dividends for the HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camps, which have been forced to expand over the past three years to meet the demand of curlers ... Read more >
Three years ago, Milwaukee, Wisconsin joined Guelph, Ontario as host cities to the three-day curling boot camp for adults. In 2004, the St. Paul Curing Club, in St. Paul, Minnesota hosted a sold-out camp along with Guelph. And, last year, the 10th year of operation for the camps, the Oakville Curling Club hosted two camp weekends, which drew campers from across Canada and the United States.
This year, up to six camps are in the planning stages. Two in Oakville, Ontario on August 26-28 and September 8-10 are expected to sell out again. Two camps in the United States have been added—October 20-22, in Madison, Wisconsin and Duluth, Minnesota from October 27-29. Barrie, Ontario will host a two-day camp on November 4-5. Interest has also come from the East St. Paul Curling Club, just outside Winipeg, Manitoba. While no date has been selected for this first-ever western Canadian camp, the East St. Paul Curling Club Board of Directors is reviewing a proposal for either 2006 or 2007.
“This growth is really rewarding for us,” explained camp founder David Gravelle. “Our instructors and celebrities really enjoy working with the campers, seeing the light bulb go on when a student catches on to something we’ve taught.”
“The camps are a mix of intense curling instruction, and lots of fun spending time with the celebrity curlers,” explained Gravelle. “Learning from the stars of the sport is the “fantasy” part of the camp. However, our main focus is on the world class curriculum we offer for beginner to advanced curlers.”
Curlers who attend the camp include husbands and wives, teammates, and individual players of varying abilities. Through an assessment process they are placed in groups of eight, all with similar experience levels, so that the learning experience over three days is maximized. From the comments received by camp staff, the camp formula is working.
The camp was “absolutely freakin’ fantastic,” said an enthusiastic Paul Ellarby of Burnsville, Minnesota who attended his first camp in Oakville, Ontario last fall.
“The camp was amazing! I learned new techniques in a fun environment” said Wendy Bodhaine who attended the camp with teammate Chris Nowak of Brampton, Ontario. “I will highly recommend the camp to fellow curlers.”
Melissa Payne of Lakefield, Ontario attended the September Oakville camp with her sister Brenda White. “It was worth every cent,” said Melissa, confirming that while there is excellent value for the costs.
“While there was lots of information presented, it was done in such a way that it can be remembered and implemented,” said Margaret Gooderham, Toronto, Ontario.
“Many curlers get into sport of curling and then hit a roadblock in their development because there is not a great deal of quality instruction available at local clubs, in particular in the United States,” said Gravelle. “We fill that void as well as offer intermediate curlers fine tuning and strategy sessions that get them to the next level.”
Instructional sessions include all areas of the delivery such as balance, line of delivery, release and rock rotation, and video training. With the advent of video analysis software, each camper receives a DVD of his or her delivery, along with instructor comments. Campers also learn effective sweeping techniques, how to read the ice, angles, hit weight solutions, and practice drills. Off-ice sessions focus on team communication, strategy, mental preparation, and team building.
The campers also experience meals, social activities, and team building activities with the celebrity curlers and instructors.
Celebrity instructors such as Glenn Howard and John Morris, along with other top curlers such as Olympic Silver Medallist George Karrys, Canadian Champion Cheryl McPherson, have been instructing at the camps. Many of Canada’s top coaches, such Janet Murphy, Wendy Morgan, Scott Arnold, Earle Morris, Cindy Bishop and Trevor Reid have been members of the HOT SHOTS team for many years. For the American Camps, World Champions Debbie McCormick and Allison Pottinger have joined the team of instructors.
“Our instructors are curling professionals,” continued Gravelle. “Many teach at their home clubs, but also work as Curl Ontario Course Conductors, High Performance Coaches, and at camps such as La Releve which trains Olympic hopefuls.”
Earle Morris, father of two-time World Junior Champion and Brier finalist John Morris, competed at the Brier in 1980, 1982 and 1985. While his competitive days are over, Morris is also known for his invention, “The Stabilizer.” Earle coached his son’s team the recent Canadian Olympic Trials and is also the Head Coach of the Australian Men’s Team.
Wendy Morgan of Burlington, Ontario has coached at her home club, at the Canada Winter Games, and now will be off to the Para-Olympics in Turin, Italy as the Team Leader for the Canadian entry.
Cindy Bishop is the Curling Professional at the Weston Golf and Country Club, in Toronto as well as the coach of her daughter Leslie’s team, which curls on the Ontario Curling Tour.
Janet Murphy is the Curling Professional at the Mississaugua Curling Club, in Mississauga, Ontario. A former Nova Scotia champion, she curls competitively on the Coleen Madonia rink in Ontario.
Scott Arnold has taught all over the world. The London, Ontario curler is a former Ontario Junior Champion and has competed at the Ontario Championships on numerous occasions. As a coach, he is working with the Joanne Rizzo rink, which competed at the Canadian Olympic Trials.
The costs to attend the HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camps range from club to club and if accommodation is required. However, when a camper signs up, they can consider it an all-inclusive curling vacation with lots of fun and curling training. For more information, contact Camp Director David Gravelle at (705) 549-8975 or visit the camp’s website at www.hotshotscurling.com to check on camp dates and prices.
A CAMPER SAYS THANK YOU
(Received January 31, 2006)
Greetings from the Midland Curling Club, the one in Michigan. My name is Michael Graves and I attended the camp last September in Oakville. I had an awesome time and was able to learn a ton... Read more > that allowed me to improve my game. Every time someone asks me about it, I encourage them to attend.
Anyway, as I let you know when signing up for the camp, my goal was to improve my skills as I had been asked by fellow curlers from Midland to join a team to take a run at the USCA National Championships in Superior, Wisconsin this February.
Well thanks to my improved game and largely to the skill of the other three members of my team, we qualified and will be going in a couple of weeks.
HOT SHOTS gave me the skills and the confidence to improve my game so that I could play a positive role on my team and I can’t thank you enough. Earle (Morris) may not remember me but the combined hour or so he spent with me has made all the difference in my delivery. I would appreciate it if you could let him know.
Thanks again for a great experience and helping me to realize my dream. I am in the process of trying to schedule my life so I can attend again this year and bring a few curlers from Midland, MI. I will let you know in a few weeks.
Sincerely,
Michael Graves
Midland, Michigan
CONGRATULATIONS TO OLYMPIAN RUSS HOWARD
It was with great pride that we witnessed the Brad Gushue rink from Newfoundland, with Russ Howard throwing second st... Read more >one, capture the Tim Hortons Canadian Olympic Trials in December. Russ Howard was one of our original celebrity instructors when we founded the HOT SHOTS Fantasy Curling Camp eleven years ago. As well, Russ and his brother Glenn Howard (a current celebrity instructor) represented my home club of Penetanguishene, Ontario when they won their two world championships in 1987 and 1993. We hope to have Russ and his protege Brad Gushue as celebrity instructors at one of our camps in 2006. A number of other celebrity instructors participated in the Canadian Olympic Trials - Glenn Howard, John Morris, Earle Morris (Coach of Team Morris), Sherry Middaugh, Cheryl McPherson (Vice on Jo-Anne Rizzo's team), Wayne Middaugh (Alternate on Team Howard), and Scott Arnold (Coach of Team Rizzo).
2006 CAMP DATES ANNOUNCED
Our 2006 camps include a return to the Oakville Curling Club which played host to our 10th anniversary camps last sum... Read more >mer. Many thanks to General Manager Ross Toussaw and Ice Technician Scott Foster for their hard work on our behalf. (Congratulations to Scott as well for winning the Canadian Mixed Championships as second stone for John Epping.)
As well, our 2006 lineup of camps include a new two-day camp at the Barrie Curling Club in Barrie, Ontario (located about one hour north of Toronto.) This past summer a small contingent of Barrie area curlers attended our Oakville camp and were so impressed with the curriculum and the fun, that they are working with us to bring this experience to their local club. Thank you to Cathy Sauve and Beth Stefaniuk for taking the lead on bringing a HOT SHOTS camp to Barrie.
Also, we are pleased to announce two new camps in the USA. The Duluth Curling Club in Duluth, Minnesota will be hosting us from October 27th-29th, and the Madison Curling Club in Madison, Wisconsin will play host November 10th-12th. Thanks to the success of Team USA (Men’s) at the Olympics and the unprecedented television coverage of curling at the Winter Games, we’re seeing a huge demand for adult curling instruction in the USA. Register now before the camps sell out.
