Learn How to Curl in the Upper Valley!

Feb 10, 2017 03:35PM ● By Erin Frisch

Each weekend, a group of athletes can be found on the ice at Wendell Barwood Arena in Hartford and Union Arena in Woodstock—and none of them will be wearing skates. They are members of the Upper Valley Curling team.

Remember that sport that fascinates everyone during the Winter Olympics—where someone slides a heavy rock down the ice while two other people frantically sweep brooms in front of it? That’s curling. And if you have ever watched it for any length of time, you probably found yourself thinking, “I could do that.” Well, here’s your chance!

Adults and teens can participate in a Learn to Curl workshop on Saturday, February 11, at Wendell Barwood Arena, 45 Highland Avenue, White River Junction, Vermont, near Hartford High School. The cost is $25 and advance registration is required. Just email [email protected] if you’re interested.

Plan to arrive at 5:45pm. The club provides all the equipment. Just plan to wear loose, warm clothing and rubber-soled shoes for gripping the ice. A hat and lightweight gloves are also good ideas, and please carry in the shoes you plan to wear to keep dirt off the ice.

Upper Valley Curling has leagues that run throughout the year. Club members range from teenagers to seniors. While the sport can leave you a bit sore and breathless, it isn’t difficult to learn. Once you get the hang of keeping your balance on the ice and the knack for launching one of the granite stones down the ice, you’ll be all set.

Here are a few curling basics:

The game is played on an ice surface called a sheet. This is 142 feet long with a 12-foot circular target called the house at each end. The object of the game for each team of four players is to push forty-pound curling stones from one end of the ice to the other. The team whose stone is closest to the center of the house scores a point—more points if more than one stone is closer to the center than their opponents. Team members help the stone slide to the best spot by sweeping “curling brooms” on the ice ahead of the stone.