For many athletes, the love of sport begins with trying something new. For Grade 9 student Carter DJ, that moment came when he joined the junior curling program at his local club: the first step in a new adventure.
“At first I had to be convinced a bit,” Carter admits. “I really love mountain biking, but it’s not something I can do in the winter where I live.”
Today, curling has become an important part of Carter’s life, challenging him both physically and mentally while opening the door to new opportunities.
- Rock Solid Start
Curling is often described as a sport of precision and strategy, and Carter has embraced every aspect of it.
“This sport works me physically and intellectually,” he explains. “I am pushing myself on an individual level and working at developing skills in a team setting.”
But beyond skill and competition, Carter appreciates the deeper values that define the sport.
“Good sportsmanship is a big part of curling as well as the game, and I like that.”
Through practices, competitions, and team training, he has not only developed as an athlete but also built friendships that extend beyond the ice.
“I’ve made so many good friends in the sport,” Carter shares. One of those friendships has even impacted his faith journey: “Recently one friend started coming to youth group with me.”
- Right on the Button
While Carter trains regularly at his local curling club, the sport has already taken him far beyond his home rink.
Throughout the season, he travels to communities across the region to compete in bonspiels: events that bring together curlers of all skill levels to test their abilities and learn from one another.
Earlier this season, Carter reached an exciting milestone in his young curling career. He qualified as one of just twelve male athletes from British Columbia invited to participate in RockFest, a special high-performance training event held in Calgary.
RockFest takes place alongside the Women’s World Curling Championships, giving young athletes a unique opportunity to witness elite-level competition and learn directly from the best.
“We will meet the best women’s curling teams from around the world and be able to practice on their ice,” Carter says. “It’s a very special event that I am looking forward to.”
For a Grade 9 athlete, the opportunity to train in such an environment is both an honour and an inspiration for what lies ahead.
- The Next End Begins
Like many athletes, Carter has discovered that the most valuable lessons from sport extend far beyond competition.
“So many great experiences and skills that I use every day,” he reflects. “Patience, determination, focus, communication, teamwork… lots.”
These qualities continue to shape not only his performance on the ice but also his approach to challenges in school and life.
One of the reasons Carter has been able to pursue high-performance curling is the flexibility of home education.
Travelling for training events and competitions often requires time away from home, but his learning schedule keeps him academically on track while developing his athletic skills.
“I am able to travel and take part in training seminars that are usually at the coast,” Carter explains. “I practice on regional training ice during the day and my classes and school work around it, so that’s great.”
The many hours spent practicing and competing even contribute toward his Physical Education requirements, allowing his passion for sport to be part of his educational journey.
- Playing the Long End
As Carter continues to grow in the sport, he has his eyes set on the future.
“I will keep working on my individual curling skills and I’d like to compete in U18,” he says.
For now, his focus is on preparing for RockFest and continuing to develop his game. Carter, we celebrate your commitment, your growth, and the exciting opportunities ahead. We can’t wait to see where the next season takes you!
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Let’s continue celebrating the incredible students of HCOS who are redefining what education can look like.
