For The Love Of Curling: Northbrook Students Learn About Popular Sport

NORTHBROOK, IL — Every four years at the Winter Olympics, one of the most popular sports is curling. Earlier this week, fifth-graders from Northbrook's Meadowbrook and Greenbriar schools visited the Chicago Curling Club to learn the techniques and rules of curling.

The Chicago Curling Club, founded in 1948, is located at 555 Dundee Road. According to the club's website, the facility has four sheets of ice, locker rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, dining area, and a large social and viewing area.

"Some kids were a little apprehensive about it. Within 5 to 10 minutes, they were on the ice having fun, which is what we love," said Tom Rosenbaum, physical education teacher.

Northbrook District 28 said the field trip's goal was to "expose students to new recreational opportunities to help develop healthful, active lifestyles."

Karrie Gottschild, a third generation member of the Chicago Curling Club, helped coordinate volunteers from the club to help the students learn the game.

"The greatest thing about curling is that it’s a super-equalizing sport… you can be competitive against somebody of a completely size, gender and age," Gottschild said. "It’s about balance, thinking through and problem-solving as a team. A curling team is one big athlete – four people working as one. The club has leagues for all ages and competes regionally and nationally."