Mukluk Bonspiel returns to Fort St John for High on Ice festival

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Fort St. John’s annual Mukluk Bonspiel will take place starting next weekend (Canva)

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The Fort St. John Curling Club is scheduled to host its annual Mukluk Bonspiel next weekend.

The co-ed tournament will take place during the city’s High on Ice Winter Festival.

The curling event is named after Mukluks, traditional Indigenous soft-skin boots made from caribou or sealskin.

Two pairs of boots will be given away as prizes during the weekend.

Club general manager Deanna Coates says 12 teams have registered for this year’s event, but with one week until it starts, she hopes for 16 teams.

“Pre-COVID, this event used to be huge,” said Coates. “Since then, we’ve been rebuilding interest in the event.

“The Mukluk is a fun event rather than super competitive. We encourage all ages and abilities to come. ”

Rules state that each four-person team must have either a woman or youth as its skip or team captain, or play as a third on a team known as a rink.

Games will be played for six ends instead of the usual eight in a regular game.

Ice carvers from the High on Ice Winter Festival will visit the event on Friday, while Saturday’s festivities will feature a barefoot curling competition.

Competitors must attempt to slide a curling rock as close to the button, or centre, on the opposite side of the rink without shoes or socks.

“You’re not on the ice for a long time,” said Coates. “But long enough for your feet to get cold.”

A Saturday dinner provided by Dawson Creek’s Meat Doctor and music will finish the event off, courtesy of the Sweetwater band.

The Fort St. John Mukluk Bonspiel will take place on Friday, February 14th and Saturday, February 15th at the Curling Club at 9504 96th Street.

Registration is $320 per team. Further details can be found at the club’s website and Facebook page, or by emailing the club at fsjcurlingclub@telus.net or by phone at (250) 785-2037.

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