Did you know that Wisconsin is a hotbed for curling? It has one of the highest numbers of curling clubs in the nation. To learn more about why the sport is so beloved, we're visiting a curling center in Plover. At the Sentry Curling Center, it's game on. To show me the basics of this beloved sport is longtime member and board director of the Stevens Point Curling Club, Doug Anderson. So, can you tell us the essence of what the objective is when playing curling? Sure. - Or when curling? Is it playing curling? - Curling, just curling. Okay, when curling.
laughs
So, when you're-- There's two teams playing against each other, usually a yellow team and a red team. And you'll alternate shots. There's four players on a team. So when the lead is shooting their two rocks, the second and the third will sweep for that player. And they'll be trying to execute the shot that the skip at the other end of the ice has called.
Angela
And so, the sweeping is to reduce the friction, I understand, so the rock can travel more easily to its target.
Doug Anderson
Correct. Doug, you shared with us kind of the objectives of the game and how it works, but how does a team know if they've won? What does that look like? Once all 16 rocks have been thrown, then you determine the score. Who's ever closest to the middle of the target area, or the house, we call it. The strategy is very complex in how do you get more rocks closer to the middle than any of your opponents. Okay, sounds like fun. I look forward to it. Go ahead and get started. - Let's do it.
Angela
The first step in learning to curl is to get the positioning down. I wanna be heel-to-toe, so my sliding foot is going to be heel will be even with my toe that's in the hack. Okay, now to practice the mechanics. Good, get your hips down.
Angela screeches
Angela
Get your hips down. Hips down. - Okay. Let's extend that foot. Let your toe go out just like that. Oh, so this is what I should have looked like. That's what you want to end up at. Get your hips down, hips down. And after practicing pushing off.
Doug Anderson
There you go.
Angela
It's time to throw the stone. As you bring your hips up, bring the rock back just a little bit, and out you go.
gliding sound
Angela
Very nice, way to get your hips down right away. That's really much better. Whoo! - Much better! No curling lesson is complete without learning how to sweep. Always want it angled slightly, like that, just like that. So, you go right in front of me, just like that. Good, are you out of breath a little bit? Yeah. I learned pretty quickly that curling takes skill and strong leg muscles, but it's a blast to play.
Doug Anderson
Oh, it's over the hog line.
Angela
No one knows that better than Kris Henning, who started curling with his wife at the club when they were newlyweds.
Kris Henning
I became a curler 35 years ago because a friend of mine asked my wife and I, we were newlyweds, if we'd like to try the game. So we had so much fun that day that we joined right away and you start curling and start having a family, your kids are pretty much raised on the ice, and they were out here all the time. I want to teach people how to play a game that I've enjoyed so much and my family's enjoyed so much, with the hope that if it, if curling does for them what it did for me, that they enjoy it as much as I do. And I just wanna kind of pass it on. I would say just come out and try, and no one's gonna bite you. They're gonna welcome you with open arms, and, hopefully, you'll have a good time and, hopefully, you'll-- this will become part of their lives.
Angela
Curling is a perfect winter sport for all ages, with curling clubs located throughout the state. Oh, my God, ow.
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