At the Women in Curling Summits, connection is as powerful as competition
By: Jolene Latimer
Linda Bolton waited anxiously at the arrival gate of Kelowna International Airport, watching every new face that appeared through the sliding doors. A friend and curling colleague nudged her, whispering, “You have to breathe.” Bolton chuckled, realizing she was eagerly straining her neck like an excited fan.
Reigning world curling champion Rachel Homan had just arrived in the Okanagan to attend the British Columbia Women in Curling Summit in Kamloops, an event Bolton had been planning 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 recalled. “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 preparation, and balancing both aspects of life.
“She talked a lot about her family and how devoted they are to backing her,” Bolton shared. “It was really cool.”
Bolton dedicated months to organizing the Women in Curling Summit in Kamloops, a key part of Curling Canada’s national initiative aimed at promoting women’s leadership and participation in curling.
Summary
The Women in Curling Summit fosters meaningful connections and highlights the importance of family support alongside athletic achievement in advancing women's roles in the sport.