So you’ve seen curling on television, but what exactly is this sport of curling all about? “Curling is a combination of bowling, shuffleboard and croquet…kinda like bocce on ice,” explains Bob Hogan, the current Peachtree Curling Association president. The Peachtree Curling Association is based in East Cobb (right behind the Marietta Ice Center), and its members are eager to share their love of this unique sport. “The sport has a little bit of everything,” says Bob. “There’s strategy, shot making and exercise. Curling is a sport for all ages, from 5 to 85, with women athletes on an equal footing with men.”
Four person teams take turns as each member of opposing teams throws two stones. Points are scored for the closest group of rocks slid onto a bullseye painted into the ice. Understanding and using the laws of physics is a major component of curling, according to Hogan. When rock meets the ice surface stones often hit each other, sometimes setting off a chain reaction. The sport often resembles a game of pool where physics comes into play. Also, by releasing the stone either clockwise or counter clockwise and making it “curl,” or take an indirect path.
Bob believes the club’s 70 members keep coming back because of the “the camaraderie or the ‘spirit of curling’ A common love of the game is what brings everyone together,” Hogan says. Their 32-week session of league play starts in October and ends in May.
The public is invited to check out the only ice rink dedicated to curling in Georgia. The club holds clinics giving newcomers a chance to try out the sport. Curling 101 classes are offered Friday nights, 7:30-9pm and Saturdays, 2:30-4pm. There’s even a Curling 201 class on Saturdays, 1-2:30pm. The club also holds birthday parties and corporate events. They are also planning a holiday camp to introduce kids to the sport of curling. For more information, go to www.peachtreecurling. org
This article originally appeared in the December issue of the EAST COBBER magazine, on page 50. Click HERE to access the digital edition.
