Curling Gaining Popularity in South Lake Tahoe

You can do it in summer and winter, rain, snow or sunshine. You can do it if you're young or old. You can do it during daylight or nighttime. You can even do it if you're not in top physical condition. You can do it at the Olympics or at your local ice arena. And to do it you need brooms and stones and you can even wear tennis shoes.

What is it you ask? Curling!

It may look like shuffleboard on ice, but the sport of curling is much more than that. Opposing four person teams take turns sending a polished 40 lb stone across a 146 foot slab of ice towards a target. Each team member has an important role in the process. One player calls the shot and monitors its progress down the ice while another player sends the stone on its journey. The remaining two team members vigorously sweep the ice in front of the stone to help the stone on its path.

Curling is catching on in the United States, and with curling hitting the international stage on Sunday during the Winter Olympics, many expect it to get even bigger.

If what curling clubs experienced after the 2010 Olympics repeats itself, your local ice arena is going to see a ten-fold increase in interested participants.

South Lake Tahoe has its own curling club, Lake Tahoe Epic Curling, and they are already starting to see an increased interest from both locals and visitors. Brothers Ray and Larry Sidney founded LTEC along with the club's President Cherise Smith. "Over the last few months we're starting to see increased interest in curling," according to Larry.

There are no curling clubs in Nevada and just 2 others in Northern California (Roseville and the Bay Area). The sport is starting to grow and LTEC is prepared for the expected growth during and after the Olympics.

They now have 40 people in their weekly leagues. The Sidney brothers teach beginners classes, both private and public. The first Sunday of the month is normally reserved for instruction starting at 5:30 pm and the other Sundays are league play.

Bachelor parties and corporate retreats have also reserved time with the Sidneys since it offers a novel experience that isn't offered in many locations. For about $25/person, people will learn to curl, and if they join the club that amount will be applied towards membership.

Stop by the Ice Area at the South Lake Tahoe Recreation Complex on any Sunday night from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and watch the curlers from the stands. For more information, visit the club's website at www.tahoecurling.com