Brave New Curl
Curling starts up a new season in Wilmington
Strategy and finesse help the skip glide the stone across the ice in an attempt to make the perfect curl – the stone’s curved path. Additional players sweep the ice in the stone’s path to maneuver its direction. The goal: get the stone as close as possible to the target, called the center of house, comprised of red, white, and blue rings on the ice.
This winter sport of curling has grown in popularity locally despite being in a beach town thanks to The Wilmington Ice House where the COASTAL CAROLINA CURLING CLUB calls home.
Founded by Dick McCartney, the club swept into Wilmington nearly three years ago in 2011.
“Curling is a strategy game that requires a really athletic move, played with forty-pound granite stones across a distance to a target area,” says club president Roger White.
Overall, the team considers its seaside location to be a benefit and challenge. Curling clubs up North typically melt down during the summer months, but in Wilmington, curlers are able to play year-round. White says the location has been an advantage because it provides an opportunity to reach out to those who haven’t tried the sport previously, such as Laurie McComas King who joined with her husband.
“Growing up at the beach, you don’t think much about winter sports because everyone around you is surfing, wakeboarding, or playing outdoor volleyball, but when you just get back from a 95-degree day in the sun, The Ice House feels pretty good,” King says.
Collectively, twenty-three women make up the thirty-eight-member team.
“The women who have been involved really make it run, and our club couldn’t have survived without their work,” White says.
It’s also a social sport. Club member Anita Dingler says they go “broomstacking” after events to eat and socialize.
“Sometimes in co-ed sports, women can get overpowered by men careening across the court, field, etc., but in curling, ice is the great equalizer,” King says.
The club welcomes all ages, genders, and skill levels to participate. This fall, organizers hope to have eight teams for the ten-to-fourteen week season. Since local members are also members of the United States Curling Association, the teams are able to compete within their regional club, the Grand National Curling Club.
“I am really enjoying the friendly competition and the openness and helpfulness of the club members,” Anita Liebscher says. “Everyone is so generous with their help to the newer curlers. We have a wonderful group of people in the club of all ages and backgrounds.”
Similarly, the group offers “Learn to Curl” sessions where anyone can attend to learn more about the sport. Attendees learn the dynamics of curling, discover how to play on the ice, and then practice a few ends.
“It’s really an easy sport to pick up,” White says. “It’s hard the first night, but it’s a pleasant and social sport. Although it’s competitive, it’s not mean-spirited.”
COASTAL CAROLINA CURLING CLUB plans to start its fall season mid-September. The group also in late September or early October will hold a Learn to Curl session. For specific dates, go to www.coastalcurling.com
To view more of photographer Chris Brehmer's work, go to www.chrisbrehmerphotography.com
