Over the last number of years, the discipline of mixed doubles curling has grown leaps and bounds in curling clubs found all across Canada. The opportunity to play at a high level is now readily available and teams can compete in multiple tournaments and events at a local, provincial, national and even professional level. 

For Waterloo, Ontario based elite mixed curling team Megan Smith/ Dylan Niepage - and SeeWhatSheCanDo partners - the 2025-2026 curling season marked their inagural season playing together. Now that the season is over, both Megan and Dylan took some time to share with us their reflections on how they thought their first season went, insight on how they got started playing mixed curling and shared some thoughts around what they think can be done to continue to grow the game across Canada.

 

 

Q: Tell us how each of you got started playing mixed doubles curling? What drew you to the game?

Megan: I first got into mixed doubles on a bit of a whim after a friend asked me to join them for provincial playdowns. Curling has always been a major part of my life and stepping into a new discipline felt like a great way to challenge myself. I was excited for the chance to learn, grow, and compete in a fresh environment including new opportunities on the national stage.

 

Dylan: I played mixed doubles briefly in juniors and was looking to return to the discipline this year when Megan and I connected. I enjoy how fast paced it is, the complex strategy created by having so many rocks in play, and how quickly momentum can shift. Rarely are you out of any game. 

 

 

Q: You both have also competed on a four-person curling team. What is your favourite part of mixed doubles curling compared to the traditional 4-person game?

We love the fast-paced nature of mixed doubles curling. With fewer rocks thrown each end, games move quickly and typically wrap up in about an hour and a half. It’s also exciting to have such a direct impact on the outcome. Being 50% of the team means taking on every role from throwing to sweeping to calling line. In mixed doubles, we truly get to do it all.

 

(Photo by: Robert Wilson)

 

Q: The 2025 - 2026 curling season was your first season playing together. What did you hope to accomplish together and what kind of game plan did you put in place to try to make it happen?

This season presented an exciting opportunity for growth, both individually and as a team. Early in the fall, we focused on making key technical adjustments to help us become more consistent and well-rounded players. We also prioritized strengthening our communication to support one another and get the most out of every shot.

As Dylan competed in men’s four-person curling with Team King, we built a strategic mixed doubles schedule. Megan was also fortunate to play in a few additional mixed doubles events with Scott McDonald from Team Neil/McDonald and together they captured two tour event wins this past season. 

As a new team, our primary goal this year was to qualify for and contend at the 2026 Ontario Mixed Doubles Provincial Championships in Collingwood, Ontario. We are proud of the resilience and teamwork we showed. We finished pool play with a 3-2 record and qualified for a tie-breaker where we battled hard and came up a few inches short on the last rock. 

 

 

Q: The mixed doubles curling game is still a relatively new form of playing and competing. What would you want others to know about the game in terms of strategy, rules and play itself? 

We want people to know that while mixed doubles includes two pre-positioned stones at each end, and many ends may start similarly, there is still a huge strategic element to the game. It’s an exciting discipline because even when you’re behind, you’re rarely out of it. Big ends and steals happen far more often than you'd expect. It’s also more accessible in that you only need one friend to sign up. We think everyone should try mixed doubles at least once and if you do, you might just get hooked!

Q: What would you recommend people do if they want to learn more about mixed doubles curling? Any specific suggestions or recommendations on what to watch, read or do?

This was an exciting year for mixed doubles curling with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy broadcasting curling across the globe. The discipline is growing rapidly with more events than ever before including the inaugural World Junior Mixed Doubles Championship in 2025. Canada's first professional curling league, Rock League, also includes the mixed doubles discipline. As streaming coverage expands across multiple platforms, mixed doubles continues to reach new fans and gain the visibility it deserves. I would recommend people tune into tour events that are streamed such as the Mixed Doubles Superseries and the World Championship that is hosted annually. 

 

(Photo by: Robert Wilson)

 

Q: What do you think needs to happen or could be done to improve and increase the awareness and growth of mixed curling throughout Canada? Are there specific suggestions you would make to local clubs or provincial and national curling sport organizations to make such improvements and progress possible?

Creating more opportunities for people to get involved is key to growing the discipline and can include mixed doubles leagues, spiels, or incorporating it into learn-to-curl programs. Increasing funding for mixed doubles would also make a significant impact as sponsorship can be challenging to find and mixed teams currently receive limited financial support to attend the Canadian Championship. Continued investment in the next generation of athletes will also further strengthen development and help ensure the discipline continues to expand.

 

 

(Photo by: Robert Wilson)

 

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