A grateful champion gives back

Langley, B.C.’s Tyler Tardi has a curling resumé that any young curler would envy: multiple provincial and Canadian championship titles, a 2016 Youth Olympics gold medal and, thanks to a dominant performance last season in Liverpool, N.S., a second straight Junior Men’s World Championship trophy as well.

“I believe that the majority of my success has come from the generosity of others,” says Tardi, who was also a 2016 Curling Canada For the Love of Curling scholarship recipient

Coaches, teammates and the generous curling community made it possible for Tardi to follow his own path towards success, both on the ice and in his academic pursuits.

“The For the Love of Curling Scholarship helped me in a way that is a little different than everyone else,” he says. “I really struggled with school and the daunting task of finding out what I want to do with my life. The scholarship helped me through the lows of school and eased the stress of figuring out what I want to do with my life because I had more opportunity to take time with my decision.”

Being an inspiration to other young curlers, both on and off the ice, is something Tardi aspires to, part of his “giving back” attitude.

“Maybe I can inspire and enlighten other young curlers to work hard, learn and achieve their biggest dreams,” he says. “Giving back makes me feel very good that I now have the ability to teach and help others, hopefully impacting them in a positive way, like so many people did for me when I was younger.”

Tardi is demonstrating his commitment to giving back in a new way this season: as one of the featured athletes in the 2020 Men of Curling calendar, he’s raising awareness and funds for both youth curling across Canada and a charity close to his heart.

“I was just looking through my email and saw ‘Men of Curling’ and my eyes lit up because I know how many big names have been in this for a very long time and I was so honored to receive that email invitation and to have this opportunity,” he says. “I was a ‘yes’ without question because I know in the past I have looked up to some of these guys in previous calendars and I thought maybe I could impact youth curlers like some of the other curlers in this calendar have done for me so many times.”

Apart from funds raised for youth curling programs, Tardi’s participation will also support cancer research, a cause inspired by the work of his dad and long-time coach, Paul Tardi.

“My dad has inspired me so much with his cancer research over the years, that I’m hoping to raise awareness for that cause as well,” says a grateful son. “I thought it would be really cool to step into his shoes and maybe help out in his field, in the same way he has done.”

Tardi has his sights set on building his curling career, and he’s prepared to work hard to achieve even more as he moves from the Junior ranks into Men’s. But he knows he owes much to the curling community who have supported him in his journey so far.

“I am just so grateful to be in a sport where there is so much support from absolutely everyone,” he says. “It doesn’t matter if you are winning or losing, you know people have your back. On top of that, to have that kind of support while playing a sport I love, there is nothing I wouldn’t do to be a part of this sport forever. I want to continue to be inspired, hopefully inspire others, and try to influence and help others, like so many have done for me along my journey.”

Curlers joining Tardi in this year’s calendar are Canadians John Epping, Geoff Walker, Craig Savill, Brad Thiessen, Kirk Muyres, Connor Njegovan, Robbie Doherty and Team Bottcher, as well as Korey Dropkin of the United States, Scotland’s Bruce Mouat and Japan’s Tsuyoshi Yamaguchi. And in addition to Curling Canada’s philanthropic programs, this initiative will support several charitable causes as selected by this impressive group of curlers from across the globe.

Be sure to order your calendar while supplies last www.curling.ca/calendar

Curling Canada