by R. Alexander Woodend
The Sharps have been curling for four years around the world and in Plainfield, which has a curling club of around 300 members, according to Jane.
The Sharps’ first steps in forming a South Jersey curling club took place in early May, when the two held a series of tutorials at the Igloo Ice-Rink in Mount Laurel. The tutorials were open to the public.
“This is our fourth event, so we’ve had I think about 60 or 70 people come through, and we’re hoping to build on that,” Jane said.
At the event, one newbie to curling, Holly Storz, said with a sigh, “It looks so easy on the Olympics.”
This seemed to be a popular refrain among the participants, myself included, who pushed off from the block, 44-pound stone in hand, and slid about 15 feet on one knee across the ice, in what seemed to me to be good form, but which I soon learned was quite ridiculous.
Other groups seemed to be catching on, however, as Frank led them through simulated game situations. Their stones glided in straight lines far across the ice behind frenzied sweeping. “You have a pretty quick learning curve,” Jane said.
Staff members at the Igloo have been taking to curling. Figure skating instructor Ryan Vannatten said he loved the sport. Manager Bridgett O’Grady said she enjoyed the “friendly competition.”
The Sharps are working to bring a league to the Igloo on Tuesdays this June and will host a Father’s Day event. For more information visit curlsj.org.
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