Broomstones

Got a 3 hour lesson/​game session for our group as part of a friend’s bachelor party. Those who taught us the ins and outs of curling couldn’t have been more fun and accommodating. It wasn’t intimidating at all. We really enjoyed our time and, if I lived closer, I would become a member. Enjoyed it that much. BONUSES: They have a great craft selection on tap, a nice lounge area with comfortable couches and a roomy locker room.
Get out to Wayland and throw some stones.

Last weekend my girlfriend and I took part in a special open house event to learn how to curl. We had a 2-​hour time slot booked along with other people our own age. Neither one of us knew what to expect but when we arrived we watched a previous session wrapping up for about 20 minutes. Noticeably everyone on the ice, minus the instructors, were all first-​timers or amateurs. This made us feel a lot better knowing that we would be on the same level as everyone else.
When it came time to learn the basics and play everyone was nervous to be the first person to give it a try. But when all of us either slipped, fell or face-​planted we all were very respectful. Even when one guy split his pants up the middle.
Curling is NOT as easy as it looks and definitely takes a great deal of patience and practice. Nobody left being the next olympic gold medallist but a few did walk away with a few bruises. The game is not difficult to learn but learning how to physically master it takes time. Unfortunately, I do not have the time to add this into my busy schedule but it’s a hidden gem. Membership is not cheap but if you are looking to take up a new sport that blends, ice skating, bowling, darts and bocci all into one game then this is for you!

My friend and I came here for an open house and learned to curl! Broomstones is one of the top curling facilities in the country and I can see why! Everyone who works at the club was super friendly and informative. The held a very welcoming open house, with chili, bread, chips and salsa as well as home made hot cider. Everyone was placed into a group of 20 as they arrived and waited in the lounge watching the ice or hanging out by the fire to wait for their group to be called.
The instructors were both knowledgeable and patient, giving each person there for the open house some individual instruction and attention despite the small time we were out on the ice. And for everyone who thinks curling is silly, let me tell you, its hard! There is a lot of balance and muscle work involved, and that court seems longer than you would think once you start sweeping! Before hitting the ice we were briefed in the history and origin of curling. As well as the set up of the court, game play, and physics of the stones.
They have different leagues, but most of which were pretty serious, but they had a Saturday morning league that sounded like a lot of fun, the loosing team buys beer for the winning team and everyone has a giant hearty breakfast together. While being a serious training facility and club, Broomstones also gave off an air of being an Elks Lodge with a sport. I mean it has a full bar that opens when they do!
Its a little hard to get to from the city and is not a cheap past-​time but it is a wonderful facility and really great sport! If I lived closer and wasn’t so busy in the evening I would seriously consider joining a league. They were very welcoming to beginners, and really want to spread knowledge about curling to the public!

Curling is apparently a lot harder than it looks. Curling, like golf, is another crazy invention of the Scottish. My work decided that learning to curl would be a good team building activity so 20 or so people trucked out to Wayland on the company’s tab.
We brought our own food, but they had a full bar and a couple of kegs as well as some bottles. You can even bring you beer on the ice! It’s pretty fun.
They taught us how to curl, let us make asses of ourselves for 2 hours and we got to drink. The instructors were wonderful, and we all had a good time watching as one by one each participant bit it on the ice.
They had a fire place in the viewing area and some leather couches, as well as tables and closed circuit TVs so you could see what was happening on the far end of the lane/​court/​ally thing.
Plus I have to give them props on the plaid carpet. I’d never seen plaid carpet before and now I feel slightly more Scottish.