The sport of curling has a long history in the state of Wisconsin, so it is only appropriate that the World Curling Federation (WCF) is continuing its Olympic Celebration Tour (OCT) with a stop at the Milwaukee Curling Club (MCC) the first weekend of November.
Olympic Curling Bronze medalist and World Champion, Sebastian Kraupp, will be joining the tour from Sweden, and will be accompanied by Darrell Ell, Level Three Curling coach and the Competitions and Development Officer for the WCF.
The Olympic Celebration Tour first launched in October 2013 with support from The Foundation for Global Sports Development. Since its inception the tour has provided would-be curlers all over the world the opportunity to learn from an Olympic-level curler, and local curling clubs have welcomed new members into their fold.
The Milwaukee Curling Club may have brand new curling facilities, but it is the oldest still running club in the continental United States, dating back to 1845. Community members will have the opportunity to not only learn the sport from an Olympian but participate in the curling club’s rich history.
Hank Bowman, the President of MCC, shares some of the reasons he enjoys curling. “It allows you to engage both physically and mentally while having fun with three of your friends. It’s also an opportunity to meet some great people and become involved in the community.”
The weekend kicks off as Mr. Kraupp and Mr. Ell will visit the local high schools with MCC members to introduce the sport to teens and talk about MCC’s high school curling programs.
The public can register for the two-hour Learn to Curl sessions on Saturday and Sunday morning, where they will learn curling tips from Mr. Kraupp and possibly even compete against him in a scrimmage. Learn to Curl sessions are an ideal way to get acquainted with the sport. By the end of your day at MCC, you will know how to sweep, throw a stone, keep score, and develop a curling strategy.
Learn to Curl Information
Session 1: Saturday, November 7th 10 am – Noon
Session 2: Sunday, November 8th 10 am – Noon
The cost for each session is $30. Please arrive 15 minutes prior to start time and wear warm clothing, such as a light sweater, pants, and comfortable shoes (such as lightweight hiking or tennis shoes).
After your Learn to Curl session is over, plan to spend time at the club laughing with members, as camaraderie and storytelling are key elements of the spirit of curling.
The Foundation for Global Sports Development is proud to be a sponsor and participant of the OCT. This weekend will mark GSD’s third visit to one of the OCT’s stops. Learn more about GSD’s involvement with the Olympic Celebration Tour.
