At the Women in Curling Summits, Connection Is as Powerful as Competition
By Jolene Latimer
Linda Bolton stood at the arrival gate of Kelowna International Airport, eagerly scanning every face emerging from the sliding doors. Her friend and curling colleague nudged her softly, saying, “You have to breathe.” Bolton laughed, knowing she was acting like a fan, but she couldn't help it.
Reigning world curling champion Rachel Homan had just arrived in the Okanagan to attend the British Columbia Women in Curling Summit, held in Kamloops that September — an event Bolton had worked hard to organize for months.
“When I picked up Rachel from the airport and I saw her walking toward us, that was the time when I knew the hard work was going to be worth it,” Bolton said. “I was thinking: We’re actually having Rachel Homan at our club. What a treat that will be for all the people.”
The two-hour drive back to Kamloops was filled with conversations about family, curling preparations, and the challenge of balancing both aspects of life.
“She talked a lot about her family and how devoted they are to backing her,” Bolton said. “It was really cool.”
Bolton had invested months in preparing for the Women in Curling Summit, which is part of Curling Canada’s national initiative to promote women’s leadership and participation in the sport.
Summary: The Women in Curling Summit fosters meaningful connections and highlights the balance between competition and community in advancing women’s roles in curling.
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