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Winter Sports For Ladies and Gentlemen

Curling has been an official Olympic event since the 1998 Nagano Olympics. It has been traditionally played with the spirit of fair play and without judges. We attended the new curler clinic at the Plainfield Curling Club in South Plainfield, NJ.

At the clinic, beginners started by watching a video about the history of curling, equipment used, the ice surface, and an overview of the rules. Participants then attached a “gripper” (an anti-sliding surface) under a sneaker and headed into the rink. Unlike a skating rink, there is a slight bumpy surface on the ice called the “pebble”. We began by practicing how to deliver the stones, each weighing about 20 kg. To deliver a stone, a player pushes their whole body from the “hack” with their right foot (if right-handed) before the release. A slight rotation is applied to the stone as it is released. If rotated clockwise, it will curl to the right. We also learned sweeping technique. Sweeping the surface of the ice in front of the stone with a special brush will help the stone go further and straighter.

After learning the basics we played a short game with teams of four people, including the instructor. We each threw two stones and tried to put our stones in the middle of the target circle. Anyone can play regardless of age or athletic ability. The PCC has active members from 5 to 83 years old! Aya Takeichi, who has been curling for 3 years, said, “There is always a great atmosphere at the club and members are very social.” Brian, who joined the beginners clinic, said, “I wanted to play a Winter sport different than what most others play. I’ve been interested in trying curling ever since I saw it on the Olympics.” Karl, one of the instructors, said, “After the last Olympics, so many people wanted to try curling that we had a line around the club.”

If you want to try this sport, now is your big chance before the Olympics. After the Olympics you may need to wait outside in the cold!

Plainfield Curling Club
133 McKinley St.
South Plainfield, NJ 07080
Phone: 908-668-9460
http://www.njcurling.org

It takes about 45 minutes by NJ Transit train from Manhattan. This is the only club in New Jersey with its own ice. Open houses will be held in February.

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President Dean Gemmell is from Canada and has curled for more than 30 years!

Even a new curler can try a game after two hours at the clinic. You will be sweeping under the skip’s call.

Players don’t need to bring any special equipment. Clean sneakers are OK, but don’t forget to wear warm clothes!

When releasing a stone, your left foot uses a teflon-coated sole.

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