At only 17, Drew Picard has a big dream - to join the Winter Olympics USA curling team in 2030.
Drew has been curling for only four years, but he developed a love for the sport while visiting his grandfather’s country club in Nashua, NH. While he has played many sports and loves soccer, curling is his favorite. “Curling is definitely my sport I want to stick with.”
There are many aspects of curling Drew loves. “I love the competitiveness,” says Drew. And he loves the mental strategy required of each player in the game explaining that in soccer, the coach tells you what to do from the sidelines. In curling, however, the player makes those strategic decisions. And then there is the camaraderie after the games where players get together and bond. “You get the competitiveness, but then you also get the sportsmanship and the spirit of curling after, as well,” states Drew.
Drew started wearing ORORO in December 2021. He learned about ORORO from one of his coaches, Elizabeth, whose curling team competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials. She mentioned its high-quality, reasonable price and great customer service. Drew checked out ORORO and received his first vest.
Before ORORO, Drew was always cold on the ice and had to layer to stay warm. But layers got in the way of his performance. With ORORO, he performs better… not only because he has better movement in his arms with fewer layers, but also because he can concentrate more on the game and not be distracted by the cold.
“Curling involves a lot of sweeping so a jacket isn't that great.” Drew goes on to say that having a heated vest allows him to do what he loves and makes it easier to do so. He describes ORORO as “easy, warm and helpful.”
Drew thinks of his ORORO vest somewhat like a parent. “It protects you from the elements. It also comforts you in a way, can change when you need it to change and can adapt when you need it to adapt.”
Living in a small Massachusetts town about 40 minutes outside of Boston, Drew has his sights on college. Because curling is not an NCAA sport, he can’t compete in college. He can, however, join a college that has a curling club team, or continue to curl on his current team and find a college nearby. Regardless, he will continue his passion for curling.
ORORO wishes Drew well in pursuing his dreams… and we look forward to seeing him at the Winter Olympics in 2030!
