Lakes Region Curling Association looks ahead to Learn-To-Curl clinic

It’s winter 2026, and that means that curlers near and far are looking ahead to fast-approaching competitions.

In Cortina, Italy, athletes from around the world will gather soon to contend on the largest stage (or sheet) possible — the 2026 Winter Olympics. Nearer to home, local squads — 12 in all — compete in a 10-match schedule that runs from early January to the last Sunday in March as part of the Lakes Region Curling Association's 2026 Winter Season.

These dedicated Lakes Region curlers will put their brooms on the ice but set their eyes on screens big and small during the first week of February as they and their Olympic counterparts take up the mantle laid down on the marshes of Scotland all those centuries ago.

To take advantage of the growing attraction of the sport, particularly with the exposure provided by the Olympics, Lakes Region Curling Association organizers will host a free Learn-to-Curl clinic for the public on Wednesday, Feb. 25, from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.

The event will feature experienced curlers leading participants in the basics of the sport, including sweeping and “throwing” 40-lb. granite stones down a 125-foot ice sheet. That basic activity allows for both the classic sliding delivery seen in professional matches as well as a more-relaxed walking delivery using a “push stick.”

For both men and women of all ages and athletic abilities, curling is a sport that combines skill, teamwork, and strategy, and LRCA places a premium on friendly competition, sportsmanship, and fun.

The Learn-to-Curl clinic is open to those 16 years of age or older. Pre-registration is necessary and is available at lakescurlingnh.org.