The Norfolk Curling Club has put out the welcome mat for folks who would like to learn the ancient art of curling, a game imported from Scotland that resembles shuttle board on ice. Seeking to boost its membership the club is reaching out to both youth and mature players.
The curling club originated in the early 1950s when Elizabeth and Ted Childs were joined by a small group of friends to curl on Tamarack and Tobey ponds. Today, the club numbers 110 members and is housed in a state-of-the-art clubhouse located on Golf Drive. It attracts teams from across the U.S. and Canada to its bonspiels, tournaments between opposing curling clubs.
The club has developed an active “Learn to Curl” program, with 90-minute sessions offered each month. Four sessions—on January 18, February 15 and 22, and March 8—still have openings.
During the sessions, would-be curlers are given a brief overview of the game, review rules and terminology, and are taught how to deliver the stone and to sweep ahead of it. If time permits, ad hoc teams are formed to play a couple of games.
There is also a six-week introductory league for people with little or no curling experience. The club provides the necessary equipment and instruction. Sessions are about two hours in length on Sundays, February 16, 23, March 2, 16, 23 and 30.
Information about the programs and fees can be found on the club’s website, norfolkcurlingclub.org.
Veteran players will take to the ice for the Icebox Open Bonspiel, January 23 to 26 with the Grand National Curling Club Senior Men’s Championship following on March 6 to 9. The Ice Box Junior Bonspiel and the Junior GNCC Championship are January 31 to February 2. Those curious about the sport are welcome to watch the competitions.