Today we’d like to introduce you to Meaghan Thomson.
Hi Meaghan, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I was introduced to curling by my family (Dad & Stepmom). They curl at the Cape Cod Curling Club in Massachusetts and as a kid, I would go to their curling games at curling tournaments when I would visit them. When I would visit, my Dad would have me slide on the ice and work on my form and we would really just be messing about. Once I heard that there was about to be dedicated curling ice here in Georgia where I lived, I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of it. I showed up on day 1 of the ice being available and instantly fell in love with the sport. Additionally, I began to make some really close friendships to the fellow curlers at the club and I knew I was hooked. Six years later, I would consider myself somewhat of a curling addict. Most of my vacation time is devoted to curling bonspiels (tournaments) where we go compete against other curlers from around the US, CA, UK and more. The best part is getting to meet more and more curlers at these bonspiels. Curlers are really the best people out there. As a person who has played multiple sports, I have not seen the amount of camaraderie, socialization and volunteer spirit that curlers have.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I think anyone that has ever run a nonprofit will tell you that not everything is a ray of sunshine. We have a lot of different people with different backgrounds and views but at the end of the day we all pull together to the common ground that we all have which is curling. I think it’s a beautiful thing to see people of all different races, genders, ethnicities, political beliefs, backgrounds, etc. coming together to curl. The common love of the game is what brings everyone together. In curling, we have a tradition called broom stacking in which the losers by the winners the first round. I can’t think of another place where you would see all these different people sitting around a table laughing and drinking together.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Peachtree Curling Association?
Peachtree Curling Association (PCA) is a volunteer run 501(c)3 that is dedicated to the promoting curling. In 2015, we took a unique opportunity as the owner of a rink was looking to shut down the ice operations on his second sheet of hockey ice. A few energetic pioneers (about 15) took this opportunity to convert the space into the first dedicated curling facility in Georgia. We were able to fundraise enough for construction and with the help of about 50 volunteers, we completed our curling facility by November 2015. Now the Peachtree Curling Association is home to over 150 curlers from all over the ATL metro area and even further such as Warner Robbins and Columbus, GA. We curl every night of week and weekends in our curling leagues. We also teach curling through our Learn to Curl Classes on Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons & our large group events (corporate events, birthday parties, friend groups). In early fall and early spring, we are also home to two regional tournaments (called bonspiels) in which curlers from around the US & CA will travel down to compete on our ice. In the last few years, we have also added Juniors Curling classes and a league (Saturday mornings at 9am) and wheelchair curling to our organization. In just a few short years, we are excited to be a training facility for members of Team USA Paralympic development team.
How do you define success?
I define success at our curling club by keeping the lights on, keeping our curlers happy and increasing the overall awareness of the club and the sport of curling to our fellow Georgians. My fondest memories of the curling club are teaching in our Learn to Curl classes and Private Events. The room is electric with energy and enthusiasm for the sport in which they did not know how to play an hour prior.
Curling is a unique sport in its own way. The sport has a little bit of everything, there is strategy, shot-making and exercise. For those that don’t believe me about the exercise part, come sweep a rock down the length of the ice (150 ft) and do it multiple times over the course of a game.
Pricing:
- Learn to Curl classes are $35 per person
Contact Info:
- Email: info@peachtreecurlingassociation.org
- Website: https://peachtreecurlingassociation.org/index.php/try-curling/beginner-curling-clinic
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/peachtreecurling/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PeachtreeCurling
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CurlPeachtree
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/PeachtreeCurling
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/peachtree-curling-association-marietta
Image Credits
Corey Griffin Meaghan Thomson
