The Poynette Curling Club in Wisconsin drew over 70 visitors to its annual open house on March 8, fueled by interest from the recent Winter Olympics. Club President Brian Kopp noted a significant turnout, attributing it to the sport's increased visibility on television. Participants received beginner lessons on the ice, highlighting curling's accessibility.
On a warm Sunday morning, the Poynette Curling Club welcomed a crowd eager to try curling, a sport that gained prominence during the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. The event, held on March 8, attracted more than 70 people from Poynette, DeForest, Leeds, Windsor, and nearby areas. Kopp described the response as exceptional, saying, “We had a large group come through and a lot of interest following the Olympics. So it has been good seeing everybody showing up and wanting to give it a try.”
Visitors started in the reception area with coffee, doughnuts, and snacks before moving to a viewing area overlooking the rink. Small groups then received hands-on introductions from instructors at three rink corners. Lessons covered basics like the bubbled ice surface, which is safer for walking than regular ice. Kopp emphasized the sport's low barrier to entry, with club-provided equipment such as stones, brooms, and slip pads. “You don’t have to get into the delivery you see on TV,” he added, noting options like standing delivery devices for those with mobility issues.
Curling offers a core workout and suits players from age 5 onward. The club aims to hook newcomers, offering a six-week training course with minimal costs. Kopp reflected on the sport's growth: “When I was growing up, you knew somebody who curled and they said, ‘Come on down,’ and that’s how we grew our sport... And now with it being on TV and being a little bit more prominent every four years, it grows a little bit outside that family-type realm.”
The Olympics featured strong Canadian performances, including gold for the men's team skipped by Brad Jacobs (9-6 over Great Britain) and bronze for the women's team led by Rachel Homan (10-7 over the United States). Such successes have sparked similar interest at clubs like Ardsley in New York, established in 1932 with 190-200 members, and Port Carling in Canada, founded in 1925 and seeking to expand from 45 members to 75. At Poynette, Kopp encouraged repeat visits: “We want you to be able to join the sport that we all love.”
