Lakes Region Curling wraps up first instructional league ahead of winter season

WOLFEBORO — Organizers for Lakes Region Curling in Wolfeboro held a fall instructional league — shorter and less expensive than a full 10-match season but offering an opportunity to step beyond the basics offered in a typical two-hour learn-to-curl clinic. 

Over the course of four Sunday afternoons, experienced LRCA instructors  coached and encouraged participants in building their skills through an abbreviated round-robin of competitive  play. 

Instructor Dave Alessandroni summed up the association’s newest program, “There’s almost  always noticeable progress in how much people improve, and that’s been the case here.” 

This type of expanded instructional programming was an opportunity for which several of the instructional league  participants had been waiting.

Bryan Westover, whose participation in the program gave him the confidence to become an alternate in the  current fall league said, “I’ve always been interested in curling. Two years ago, I took the learn-to-curl course, and they didn’t have the instructional league. I didn’t want to join someone’s team and be a burden on them… and  then [the LRCA] offered this instructional league, and I’m like, ‘Perfect. This is exactly what I wanted.’” 

For other curlers, joining in the month-long league was a natural progression following participation in the most  recent learn-to-curl event held in September. 

As part of Huggins Hospital’s efforts to provide team-building opportunities for leadership members, a group of  employees had been participating in summer pickleball at Pop Whalen when they learned about the curling  program. While a larger group participated in the one-day program, three Huggins’ staff members continued  their curling adventure by joining the instructional league. 

“I’m a big curling watcher,” said Kimberly Alexander, “but there were a lot of the things that, until you’re doing it, I  don’t think you really realized all that’s involved.” 

“People always say it’s chess on ice,” said Amelia Theberge. “[Having it in town], I had no excuse not to try  it.” 

Monika O’Clair added, “I didn’t know anything about it, but the few times I saw it on TV, I thought it just looks like  they’re having a lot of fun. … [The learn-to-curl] was enough time to learn some techniques but not enough time to  practice, so this instructional league was perfect.” 

The LRCA is currently looking ahead to its Winter 2026 programming, which includes a 10-match league starting  in January as well as a public learn-to-curl clinic on Wednesday, Feb. 25, part of Wolfeboro’s Winter Carnival.  

Learn more at lakescurlingnh.org.