CURLING

Do you know the difference between a spiel and a bonspiel? Curling cognoscenti do. A spiel is an informal curling match, while a bonspiel is a curling tournament.

But what the heck is curling, anyway? How to explain this arcane sport? Shuffleboard on ice or bocce sans balls, maybe? Played using big smooth rocks (equipped with handles) called “stones” and short, devilish brooms called “brushes?”

A bit off the beaten track, yes. No wonder: the game was invented in Scotland—something to do when the loch froze over. Two teams of four players each slide 40-pound round stones at a target (a 12 foot-wide circle called the “house”) located 138 feet down the ice. Meantime, teammates rapidly sweep their brushes on the ice in front of the moving stone to speed it up or slow it down, or make it curve this way or that. (Honest!) Object of the sport is to get closest to the house center. Blocking and knocking out opponents’ stones are important tactics of the sport (maybe the only ones). One reason curling is an ideal spectator sport: nobody ever gets lost with trick moves—there are none!

Still confused? Go to www.curlingbasics.com . Then take in a spiel or even a bonspiel if you’re lucky (and patient). Something unusual to talk about at your next block party, all right. Be careful, though—curling can be addictive. Just ask the Canadians.

Granite Curling Club

1440 N 128th St
Seattle, WA 98133
(206) 362-2446
Official Website
Map

Teams (or "rinks" as they are called in curling) from the Granite Curling Club, founded 1961, have captured many national championships—more than any other club in the United States. But this facility is not just for world-caliber athletes; there are leagues for people of all skill levels and ages.

The curling season runs from mid-October until mid-April each year, hosting a number of leagues, many tournaments ("bonspiels"), and several open houses. Plenty of opportunities for you to come out and participate—compete or just watch the action. The GCC is the only dedicated curling facility on the west coast of United States.

If you have ever wanted to try curling, you have come to the right place. The Granite Curling Club has several open houses throughout the year—come on out and give it a try. Their instructors will provide you with a great introduction to the sport. Click on Open house schedules. http://www.curlingseattle.org/index_files/Open.htm