Our Guide to Bonspiel Survival: Snacks, Shirts, and Shenanigans
If you’ve ever woken up in a curling club parking lot wondering if you won or lost your last game — congratulations, you’ve probably bonspieled correctly.
A bonspiel isn’t just a tournament; it’s a cultural event. It’s where friendships are forged, questionable dance moves are debuted, and someone inevitably eats too much chili before their 8 a.m. draw. Whether you’re a rookie on your first road trip or a seasoned skip with a travel mug full of secrets, here’s your complete guide to bonspiel survival — CurlingIsFun style.
1. The Snack Situation: Fuel Like a Champion
Every curler knows that bonspiel snacks are an art form. The trick is finding that perfect balance between energy and regret.
The Curling Snack Hall of Fame:
- Beef jerky: Durable, protein-packed, and doubles as a broom handle chew toy.
- Granola bars: Great until you forget them in your jacket pocket and they become geological formations.
- Pickles: Hydration, sodium, and comedy — all in one jar.
- Homemade baked goods: Always from the team mom or that one guy who “just loves baking for the club.”
Pro tip: stash emergency candy in your curling bag. You never know when a fifth-end sugar crash might strike.
(Want to snack in style? Check out our funny curling shirts — guaranteed to distract opponents while you unwrap a protein bar mid-sweep.)
2. Dress Code: Shirts, Layers, and Team Spirit
A bonspiel wardrobe is 50% comfort, 30% team identity, and 20% “what’s clean.”
If you’ve never shown up in matching team shirts, are you even curling? Whether it’s a shirt that says “Skip Happens” or something custom with your team’s inside joke, matching outfits instantly bump your intimidation factor (and your Instagram likes).
We’ve seen it all — from tuxedo shirts to Hawaiian print hoodies — but the real pros go for breathable gear that says “we came to curl and look good doing it.”
If your team still needs its look, we’ve got you. Send us your team name, slogan, or inside joke, and we’ll turn it into merch you’ll actually want to wear. Get started by checking out our curling team merch or shoot us an email — we’ll help make your dream design real.
3. Surviving the Social Side: Shenanigans 101
The curling may be what brought you to the bonspiel, but let’s be honest — the shenanigans are what you’ll remember.
Classic bonspiel traditions include:
- The Friday Night Mixer: You’ll meet 60 new friends and remember approximately two of their names.
- The Costume Draw: Sometimes it’s pajamas, sometimes it’s superheroes, sometimes it’s “whatever was in your suitcase.”
- The After-After Party: Usually features karaoke, spontaneous broom balancing contests, and one person passionately debating the hog line rules.
Curling culture is built on good humor and camaraderie. Win or lose, every game ends with a handshake and usually a beer — or three.
4. Travel Tips: Bonspiel Road Warrior Essentials
You haven’t truly curled until you’ve packed your car like a curling equipment Tetris puzzle. Between the broom bags, coolers, and questionable costume bin, space is premium.
Don’t forget:
- Sliders: Bonus points if you pack an extra for that one teammate who always forgets theirs.
- Water bottle: You’ll need it for actual water… and also for pretending it’s water.
- Phone charger: Because you will want to document the chaos.
- A backup outfit: Because spills happen. Everywhere.
Need a travel hoodie that keeps up with your chaos? We’ve got bonspiel gear designed for long weekends, bad coffee, and even worse draw times.
5. The Morning After: Recovery Is Part of the Game
When the final rock has been thrown and your head’s still ringing with victory songs (or defeat snacks), remember — bonspiel recovery is real.
Hydrate, stretch, and tell your teammates you love them (even if they flashed that last takeout). Bonus points for posting your team photo with hashtags like #CurlingCulture, #BonspielLife, and #FunnyCurlingShirts — because if you don’t post it, did it even happen?
Wrap-Up: Curl, Snack, Nap, Repeat
Bonspiels are the beating heart of curling culture — part competition, part comedy show, and part community reunion. Whether you sweep like a maniac or skip like a philosopher, remember the golden rule: have fun and look good doing it.
Grab your snacks, pack your sense of humor, and wear your funny curling merch proudly. We’ll see you out there — preferably not face-down in a pile of sliders and donut crumbs.
Related Posts:
- The Scariest Thing in Curling: Slippery Hacks and Missed Draws
- Haunted Curling Rinks: True Stories (and Ones We Made Up)
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