Curling is a challenging sport based around a very simple idea. Slide a stone down a sheet of ice and have it stop as near as possible to the centre of a set of rings, called the house. The opposing team will do everything tactically to stop you from achieving this goal, so the game contains elements of great skill, strategy, finesse and effort. The impression given in the media that curling is a relaxed game is far from the truth.

Curling is one of the few sports which is accessible to all. Many start curling as children and continue to play well into retirement. Britain even has its own wheelchair squad of curlers. Curling is also very social: you could easily find yourself playing a match against a team of international champions and sitting down to a coffee together afterwards.

If you are interested in taking up the sport but have never dared to try, why not come on our three-day initial familiarisation course?

Day 1 is designed to get you onto the ice safely and to get you delivering a curling stone, with a basic understanding of the rules.

Day 2 focuses on working with the coaches to better your skills and includes an opportunity to have a short game.

Day 3 allows you to put your knowledge into practice in a full game.

At the end of the course, details of clubs looking for new members will be provided, along with information on joining our Beginner Curling Club, where you can continue to work on your skills before joining a mainstream curling club.

Clothing
You need warmth and ease of movement, so we recommend:
· layers of clothing, which you can remove as you warm up.
· loose-fitting trousers e.g. jogging bottoms rather than jeans.
· fabrics which won't drop fibres onto the ice surface.
· gloves, if your hands get cold, and warm socks.

Footwear
· Choose warm, soft-rubber-soled shoes.
· If you plan to wear trainers instead, check that the soles are rubber; synthetic ones are very slippery on ice.
· Check that the soles of your shoes are totally clean. Even tiny pieces of dirt can spoil the ice surface.