Bravo, these two, for #GivingBack

By the time this is published, Laura Walker and Kirk Muyres will be finishing up their second of three annual tour stops in small-town Saskatchewan, where the curling heart beats strongly.

Walker and Muyres, the mixed doubles pair currently ranked No. 2 in the world, are in the midst of another “Corr Grain Community Rocks” curling tour which sees them hit three Sasky or Alberta towns each year. They meet and greet youngsters (age 6 to 18), take them onto the ice for a clinic and chow down on pizza afterwards, giving some serious star power to smaller but vibrant curling towns.

This year it’s Melville—the hometown of Alberta curling legend Don Walchuk—as well as Hudson Bay and Melfort. All three visits are scheduled between Jan. 22-24.

Muyres started the tour concept 12 years ago with his four-player men’s team, and continues it with his mixed doubles partner today. Melfort will be the 39th town the tour has reached.

“It’s always exciting to see the young talent in these communities, but it’s even more fulfilling to see the respect and kindness they show to one another, and us, when we arrive for the day,” said Muyres. “You have to appreciate the kids, they’re such great students.”

Full disclosure: I like these two. They’re just great people. And how can you not like them? I submit the following for your consideration.

• In addition to the tour, Kirk has co-founded his own charity—the Do More Agriculture Foundation—and has appeared in no less than three Curling Cares fundraising calendars, raising a whack of cash for multiple causes.

• Laura has appeared in two of the calendar’s editions. She’s also the first active athlete to ever serve on Curling Canada’s Board of Governors.

• Both are doing something different by focusing on the mixed doubles discipline. They could easily return to the traditional fours game and get snapped up by high-powered teams (Laura spared for the Kaitlyn Lawes foursome at last year’s Scotties and won an all-star award). But they’re really giving mixed dubs a serious go.

• Laura also spoke bravely and frankly to Empowered Performance in a popular episode about the challenges of balancing competition and motherhood, just as last year’s paternity schmozzle was unfolding (yeek).

• They have a very cool hashtag: #WalkMuyWay.

• They are also fun to watch, and not just because he is very tall and she is … not.

So what does Walker think of the tour experience, now that she has some appearances under her belt?

“I’d seen from afar what Kirk and his teammates have done with this tour over the years, and it’s so much fun to be a part of it now,” she said. “The kids get so excited and we are so grateful to have the opportunity to share this sport with them.

“One of my favourite moments was the little girl who said she had a secret, and she whispered in my ear that she likes me the best!

“But in all seriousness, I would say the turnouts are what it’s all about. We’ve been in communities of less than 1,000 people that had over 40 kids come out. I’m just blown away by that.”

Bravo, you guys. Long may you continue #GivingBack.