Olympic Fans Try Curling For The First Time

Washingtonians got into the Olympic spirit on Wednesday as they took to the ice to play a winter sport that many have watched but few have tried.

"I watch it every year in the Olympics, and every year I think...'I could do that.' And it turns out, I cannot," said Cindy Martinez, laughing. "I tried really hard. It's harder than it looks."

Her friend agreed, having taken a painful tumble on the ice.

"I think my knees are going to be a little sore in the morning, but I think it's a great lesson in friction - or lack thereof," joked science teacher, Sarah McIntosh.

The event, called "Curling and Cocktails", was hosted by The Wharf, after proving popular during the last Winter Olympic Games in PyeongChang.

"It's just a really fun way to get out on the ice, especially if you're not inclined to skate - you can come out here and goof around," said The Wharf's program director, Jennifer Currie.

Curling is related to bowls, boules and shuffleboard and was first played in late medieval Scotland.

While many of Washington's curler-wannabees said they loved watching it on TV, few understood the rules. One participant said she and her partner watched two YouTube videos to prepare.

"We were terrified we'd be paired with a team that knew what they were doing," said Ren.

The gist is that two teams of four players use brooms to slide granite stones on a rectangular sheet of ice towards a target area which comprises four concentric circles.

Teams employ one player to throw a stone while two teammates sweep, with the aim of delivering the stone as close as possible to the center of the target area.

The team with the stone closest to the center scores a point. A match takes place over 10 ends, similar to an inning in baseball, with each team having eight stones per end.

But Wednesday night's match was just for fun.

"I don't think we're going to make it to China this year to be on the official team," laughed Kirsty Peev as her stone repeatedly slid past the target.

The experience has given participants a newfound appreciation for the professional teams, which will compete in Beijing from Feb. 2 to Feb. 20.

"Now that I know everything there is to know about curling, I will absolutely pay more attention when the Olympics roll around," smiled Bryan Mahosky.