Whittmire brothers enjoyed playing curling together growing up

By Lethbridge Herald on February 26, 2025.

Herald Photo by Justin Seward Herald photo by JUSTIN SEWARD Rhett and Ayden Whittmire have enjoyed growing up through curling together along with their other brother Lowell.

By Justin Seward

Lethbridge Herald

The local Whittmire brothers of Ayden and Rhett  hit the ice this week at the Lethbridge Curling Club curling for their respective post-secondary teams at the U SPORTS/CCAA Curling Canada Curling Championships and they spoke about what it was like curling together growing up together and seeing this championship in their home town.

Their other brother, Lowell, was making the ice at the LCC during this week and also curled growing up. 

Ayden is curling for the defending men’s U Sport champion University of Regina Cougars while Rhett is in first year with the Red Deer Polytechnic Kings on the college side of the championships.

“It’s kind of like a family reunion here,” said Ayden.

“Parents are watching and volunteering , and organizing and (one) of my brothers is making ice and the other one’s playing for Red Deer. So it’s really cool (to) look over and see him making shots and playing good with his team too.”

Ayden is glad to not being playing the same side as Rhett.

“I don’t have to play him on the college side, so pretty thankful for that. I don’t have a very good record against my brother,” said Ayden.

Ayden was asked if him and his brother have bantering conversations.

“I think that’s just natural,” said Ayden.

“We kinda just poke at each other here and there but I think at the end of the day we’re just cheering for each other (and) hoping each other does good.”

Rhett thinks it’s good to see his older brother.

“I don’t get to see him often since he’s out in Regina,” said Rhett.

“So a week here (and I) only complain a little bit about having to see him.”

Rhett said it’s always been talk about who’s bragging about who’s won what event.

“It’s really just trying to be better than the other and it’s never hurtful, but it’s nice to be on top,” said Rhett.

Rhett didn’t think curling would be possible without his brothers

“Their success makes me want to succeed more,” said Rhett.

Curling has been for the Whittmires something that is always there for them.

“You go out (and) you have fun,” said Rhett.

“You go home and then do whatever you need. It’s just a little relief from the world there.”

Ayden thought it was cool to see the championships in his hometown.

“Lethbridge isn’t a super big community,” said Ayden.

“So it’s nice to give some exposure to the curling community here and (it) looks like there’s a lot of fans out here supporting, so that’s awesome to see, we love the support and it’s just really cool.”

For Rhett, when he found out the championships were his hometown, he didn’t hesitate with a reaction.

“I sent an email pretty quick to the coach to say I’m all in now, I’d like to play at home,” said Rhett.