ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Curling enthusiasts in Rochester are feeling the excitement as the Winter Olympics bring renewed interest to the sport. News10NBC’s Emily Putnam visited the Rochester Curling Club to explore the growing passion for curling and its future in the U.S.
Curling first appeared in the Olympics in the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the late ’90s that it became an official medal event for both men and women. The Rochester Curling Club, established in 1961, has been a hub for local curlers ever since.
Steve Elliott, a regular at the club, shared his enthusiasm for the sport. “It’s my favorite place to come. It makes me active in the winter time. It’s just great,” he said, adding “I’ve never met a curler I didn’t like.”
Curling is known for its strategic nature, sometimes called “chess on ice.” Elliott explained “There’s a mental piece to it… you can learn it fairly quickly, mastering it takes a very long time.”
The sport’s name comes from the way the stones spin, or “curl,” as they slide toward their target, known as the “house.” Elliott described the sweeping technique, saying, “What you’re doing when you’re sweeping is you’re creating friction… at a low molecular level you’re heating up the ice and that makes the rock go farther.”
Emily Putnam: ”I’m about to try curling for the first time, do you have any advice for me before I start?”
Steve Elliott: “Be confident in your ability to do it.”
As for the future of curling, Elliott is optimistic.
“Curling in the United States I think is really gonna start to blow up,” he said. He praised the competitive nature of the U.S. playdowns for the Olympics, noting, “It was wonderful curling, it was competitive, every shot was exactly where it needed to be, so I really think curling in the United States is on the rise.”
For Elliott and others at the Rochester Curling Club, the camaraderie and social spirit of the sport is the real prize. “Curling is one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Elliott said, adding with a laugh, “I love this sport more than golf… and I thought I’d never say that.”
If you’re interested in trying the sport, the Rochester Curling Club has a “Try Curling” program — no experience necessary. Click here for more information on the “Try Curling” program.
You can catch the opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics on Friday, Feb. 6, on News10NBC.
Chess on ice: Inside the strategic and social game of curling WHEC.com.
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