As the Winter Olympics approach, Cedar Rapids Curling is offering introductory sessions for Iowans to try the ancient sport. These 90-minute classes aim to teach the basics ahead of the international events. Spokeswoman Emily Nelson emphasizes the sport's accessibility for all fitness levels.
Curling, which originated on the frozen lochs of Scotland in the early 1500s, involves sliding large stones across ice toward a target. The modern version requires skill in aiming and sweeping to guide the stones closer to the center than opponents' stones. Emily Nelson, spokeswoman for Cedar Rapids Curling, describes it as straightforward to pick up but challenging to master.
With the 2026 Winter Olympics set to open in Milan, Italy, on February 6—curling events beginning February 4—local interest is expected to rise. "Curling is the sport in the Olympics that people see and then say, ‘I could do that,’ and anyone absolutely can curl," Nelson says. She highlights its adaptability: participants can treat it as a workout or simply for fun, accommodating various physical abilities.
Cedar Rapids Curling currently runs leagues with about 65 members, spanning ages from pre-teens to those in their 70s. To introduce newcomers, the club has scheduled "learn to curl" sessions on February 17 and 24, and March 3 and 7. Each lasts 90 minutes and covers the essentials. "You can learn the basics of curling in a couple hours," Nelson notes, adding that the rules are easy despite nuances that take years to refine.
For more information, interested individuals can visit the club's website at www.cedarrapidscurling.com. These sessions provide a convenient way for Iowans to engage with the sport without traveling abroad.
