As the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics unfold, Philadelphia Curling Club president Cody Clouser shares insights on the sport's history, tactics, and a local star competing for Team USA. Taylor Anderson-Heide, a Broomall native, brings her national championship pedigree to the international stage. Clouser, a lifelong curler, highlights the club's role in nurturing talents like her.
The Philadelphia Curling Club in Paoli has been a cornerstone for the sport since its founding in 1957 at the Villanova University Ice Rink. A snowstorm caused the rink's roof to collapse in 1961, but dedicated members retrieved surviving curling stones from the wreckage. By 1963, the club had secured land to build its current facility at 65 Plank Avenue, where it continues to operate with two ice sheets.
Cody Clouser, the 29-year-old president from Berwyn, began curling at age three in a family steeped in the sport. His grandparents were among the club's early members, and his father also grew up playing. Clouser has competed in four national championships and won gold at the 2016 College National Championships. He notes that Olympic broadcasts boost curling's visibility: "It's the most watched Winter Olympic sport," due to the abundance of content from lengthy matches across men's, women's, and mixed doubles events.
Local Olympian Taylor Anderson-Heide, 30, credits the club for her development. A five-time U.S. national champion, her accolades include golds in women's curling in 2019 and 2021 alongside twin sister Sarah, mixed doubles titles in 2015 and 2018 with Korey Dropkin, and a 2025 win as lead for skip Tabitha Peterson. She earned gold at the 2025 U.S. Olympic trials and silver at the 2016 World Junior Championships. Clouser praises her as "a very, very strong sweeper."
Clouser demystifies curling terms and techniques. The "hack" is the launch point for throwing 38-to-44-pound stones down pebbled ice sheets, which reduce friction for smoother glides. Sweepers call "heavy" or "light" to adjust speed, applying intense effort: "One of the things to watch for is people putting pretty much their entire weight onto the broom." Teams include throwers, sweepers, and a skip who calls shots, with specialized shoes—one with a Teflon slider—aiding balance.
Stones, sourced exclusively from Ailsa Craig granite in Scotland by Kays of Scotland, cost about $2,000 each and feature outer layers resistant to damage and inner ones to moisture. The club, which shares communal stones, sees fitness as increasingly vital, evolving from past eras of casual play to demanding athleticism. Clouser encourages newcomers: "If you get the opportunity to try it, and then get to watch it, I think it adds to the experience." The club plans watch parties for Anderson-Heide despite time zone challenges.
