After months of searching for a new practice space, the members of the St. Louis Curling Club have found a place to pursue their passion. Nancy Rogers, who founded the club, and member Lucas Shook announced that the club will begin playing at the City of Creve Coeur Ice Rink (11400 Olde Cabin Road) on Saturday, March 1. The club will hold classes every Saturday in March and April.
Club members noticed an increased interest in their sport from the Sochi Olympics. They would meet up at local establishments to watch the Olympic games and bring along a curling stone and broom. "People just seem to have a natural attraction for the sport," said Rogers. She doesn't deny, however, the frequent critiques of whether curling should be considered a sport. "People want to talk about the curling of the hair or the curling of the arm."
The sport of curling began in Scotland in the 1500s. Originally, corn brooms - like what you might find in your kitchen - were used to smooth the path for the stone and clear away debris. They have evolved into a nylon pad form.
Rogers stresses that though it is active, curling is a mental game as well. "It's very much chess on ice," she said. And, like a chess game, age hardly matters for curling. "Many ages can play at the sport so its a good family outing...It's very much a team sport," Rogers said.
For more information on the St. Louis Curling Club visit their Facebook page or call (314) 432-3961.
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