Investment Rocks: Applying Curling Strategies to Your Investment Portfolio

Late last summer, about a year ago, I had never curled before. It was not a personal pursuit of mine, although I have always had an appreciation for the sport. I would flip on the Scotties and the Brier and cheer the team on at the Olympics. But I did not think much of it otherwise. 

That was the case until I had a chance pairing one day while golfing and ended up playing 18 holes with one of the Directors of the Campbell River Curling Club. Despite them being an avid golfer, they had me quickly convinced that I should give curling a try. It was a great time to do so since the club would be hosting some Learn to Curl Clinics in the fall at the start of their season. 

I passed on this opportunity and enthusiasm to my colleagues, and over the course of the past year, we had an excellent time! Following the clinic, we made a team and joined one of the social leagues starting in the winter. We hit some big milestones in our journey including our first steal, our first victory, and a couple of us even played in the bonspiel at the end of the year. 

Reflecting back, there are a number of key similarities between curling and our work at Alitis that helped spark our interest in the sport: 

• It’s a Team Sport
  There may be one person with the curling stone in their hands at the start of the throw, but it takes all four players to get the rock where it needs to be. Collaborating towards a common goal leads to better outcomes in both curling and the work we do to help people achieve their financial goals.
   
• Strategy
  Curling is nicknamed “chess on ice”. There is an abundance of information and variables that could help or impede your team along the way. It is important to be able to think ahead and maintain focus on the end result (pun intended). Just like with investing, a steady and measured approach will compound positively over time.
   
• Risk Management
  In curling, you can often see potential shots as either more aggressive or defensive. Do you want to go for the double take-out and spin perfectly underneath to score two? Does it change your mind to know that if you miss even slightly the other team is going to have an easier shot to score four? While playing curling in a social league it can be worth the risk sometimes to try and play the hero, we think about these trade-offs with much more gravitas when it comes to our client’s investments and retirement planning. 

Curling is a great sport for all ages and skill levels. I encourage you to check out your local curling club for a similar “Learn to Curl” clinic if you are looking for a new hobby throughout the fall and winter months. 

Thank you for reading about my passion for the sport of curling. Sometimes passing on our stories can lead others to take up sports with similar enthusiasm or share their own passions. 

Maybe we will see you on the rink! 

Sincerely, 
Thomas Nowak, CFA 
Portfolio Manager 

Campbell River Curling has Learn to Curl Clinics running on October 3, 4, & 5 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm.  
Comox Valley Curling has Learn to Curl Clinics running on September 26 & 27 from 6:30- 8:30 pm, as well as a Learn to Curl Program running on October 14, 21, 28 and November 12, 18, and 25 at 2:30 pm.  
Victoria Curling has a Learn to Curl Program running on October 15, 22, 29, November 5, 19, 26, December 3 and 10 from 7:00 – 9:00 pm.  

Contact Us Today

Schedule a no-obligation, complimentary meeting with a Portfolio Manager today. Find Alitis Investment Counsel in Campbell River at 101-909 Island Highway, in the Comox Valley at 103-695 Aspen Rd., in Victoria at 1480 Fort St., and online at alitis.ca. For more information, call 250-287-4933 or email info@alitis.ca.