Orange County Curling Club Hosts ‘Open Houses’ To Give Interested Participants An Introduction

FULLERTON, Calif. - Feb. 19, 2014 - PRLog -- (Westminster, CA – Feb. 19, 2014) – With around 100 hours of curling coverage being provided by NBC Sports at the 2014 Olympic Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, the Orange County Curling Club is ready to give interested participants an on ice introduction to learning the sport by providing three Saturday night Open House events. At the Open House events, instructors will teach interested curlers the basics of the sport in one-hour sessions. The sessions include learning how to properly deliver stones and the sweeping techniques that all curlers use.

The Open House Curling sessions are Feb. 22, March 1 and March 8 at THE RINKS -Westminster ICE. Each night will have 4 sessions – 7pm, 8pm, 9pm, and 10pm. Open House curling participation is available to kids over 10 years of age who are accompanied by a parent, as well as adults of all ages.  The cost per person is $20 per session, which includes a $10 voucher for a future Learn-to-Curl event, and registration is online through the Club's website: www.occurling.com

Curling, one of the favorite sports of the Winter Olympics Games, has grown exponentially throughout the U.S. with clubs forming from coast-to-coast. Orange County Curling was born out of such interest from curling enthusiasts residing in and around Orange County. The OC Curling Club started in Jan. 2010 and is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization.

“Olympic arm-chair curlers are encouraged to come out and try their hand at the sport that is ‘sweeping’ the nation,” said Bill Waddington, president of OC Curling. “For those interested in learning how to curl, our club teaches the latest high performance Olympic curling techniques and uses state of the art equipment. Interested curlers will have a blast delivering stones while enjoying the fun atmosphere and culture of our club.

The Club’s roster currently boasts over 70 members and curls year-round at THE RINKS -Westminster ICE.  Last year, the Club hosted its first three-day bonspiel, “The Surf City Spiel,” and following its overwhelming success in registering curlers from across the U.S. and Canada and former Olympians too, is organizing another one this year from June 20-22.

The OC Curling Club has something for everyone. The Club is competitive -- four of its members are competing this month in a national men’s senior tournament -- and its recreational as well. Andy Richter from CONAN recently came out to the club for a curling lesson and by viewing the video (http://teamcoco.com/video/andy-curling-team), one can see how welcoming the Club is, especially toward newcomers.

“We also want people to know that ‘Learn to Curl’ classes are held most Saturday nights throughout the year – we really want to encourage people to come out and learn more about our great sport. Everyone that registers for one of our ‘Open Houses’ will receive a $10 voucher for a future ‘Learn to Curl’ class that includes two hours of group instruction,” said Jennifer Buehler, director of curling skill development, OC Curling Club.

About Orange County Curling

The Orange County Curling Club is a member of USA Curling and MOPAC (Mountain Pacific Curling Association). The first and only Curling Club in Orange County started in January of 2010 and since then has become a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. The friendly club, over 70 members strong, welcomes players of all ages and skill levels. With the support of THE RINKS -Westminster ICE, the club hopes to grow the sport of curling and keep it thriving for years to come in the Orange County area. For more information, visit the website at www.occurling.com and its Facebook Page or follow the club on twitter @occurling.

About THE RINKS Development Program presented by Honda

Launched in February 2009, THE RINKS Development Program presented by Honda consists of seven local skating facilities operated by the Anaheim Ducks: four ice rinks (THE RINKS – Anaheim ICE,THE RINKS - Lakewood ICE, THE RINKS – Westminster ICE and THE RINKS –Yorba Linda ICE), as well as three inline facilities (THE RINKS – Huntington Beach Inline, THE RINKS – Irvine Inline and THE RINKS – Corona Inline). For information on THE RINKS program, visit www.The-Rinks.com.