This Fall, Learn the Art of Curling

By Dr. Tom Denham

Winter is coming. If you live in upstate New York, and you are not into outdoor activities, winter can seem like an eternity. There is a solution. Curling is the fastest growing winter Olympic sport in the world and it can help you beat the winter blues. If you are not familiar with this indoor game, here are the essentials. There are two teams with four players: lead (goes first), second (goes next), vice (goes third), and skip who serves as the captain of the team and goes last.

Players take turns throwing eight polished circular stones “rocks” down a rectangular “sheet” of ice toward a target of four concentric circles, called “the house” – think bullseye. A teammate can create a curved trajectory of varying degree, called a “curl.” This trajectory of the stone can be impacted by two players acting as sweepers with brooms (“brushes” in Canada), who follow the stone and “sweep” the ice in front of it as the rock makes its way towards the house. The process of sweeping reduces the friction of the stone with the ice, which makes it move in a straighter path. Strategy teamwork, technique and patience are all required to create the right placement of a stone for each situation. It’s important to have plan A, plan B, and plan “Let’s just see what happens!”

Points are awarded for the stones that are closest to the center when an “end” is completed, which means both teams have thrown all of their rocks. A game is typically eight or ten ends. The team with the highest number of points wins the game. Imagine bowling, shuffleboard and golf on ice. It’s not as easy as you think. In my humble opinion, the Scottish gave us the two of the most frustrating games in the world, golf and curling. Poor performance will quickly demonstrate that you haven’t developed mastery. Fortunately, in curling, winners buy the losers drinks.

You don’t have to be a jock to curl. Curling is a lifetime sport and clubs often have members into their 80s. Curlers are also a very friendly bunch and come from all different backgrounds. Prices are very reasonable, especially for new members. Before you invest in special shoes and a broom, the curling club will lend you everything you need. Most clubs have a kitchen full of food, an extensive bar, and a relaxing lounge area. Once a member you can come to the club during your league night/day, or any night to watch TV, or just hang out to visit.

There are 11 curling clubs in the Northeast and the Capital Region is lucky to have two of them. Open houses are happening in October and you really should try it. You’ll be introduced to the basics of throwing a stone from the “hack,” how to help your team with sweeping, and then they’ll feed you. The Schenectady Curling Club open house is the weekend of October 4-6. The Albany Curling Club open house is Saturday, Oct. 12. Check out both club’s websites or Facebook pages for more info and to sign-up.

Dr. Tom Denham (careersintransition@yahoo.com) of Delmar is a career counselor, motivational speaker, and enthusiastic adventurer.