Since the thrilling play of the 2022 Winter Olympics, more and more people are discovering the inclusive sport of curling

Often likened to ‘chess on ice’, curling is the Olympic sport that combines physical dexterity and precision with an engrossing cognitive challenge, as players work through different strategies and form complex game plans. It’s also sociable, respectful and has great camaraderie and a fairness and respect that curlers are proud of – such as taking time to congratulate other teams on games well played and even self-regulating mistakes.

Curler and coach Frazer Shaw, from Curl Edinburgh in Scotland, refers to this as ‘the spirit of curling’, explaining: ‘It’s a very respectful and inclusive game and team spirit is a huge part of it. You play fairly, you play by the rules, then you come off the ice and go up into the lounge for a coffee. It’s welcoming and sociable.’ If this isn’t enough – and you’re maybe a little wary of setting foot on the ice – there are plenty more reasons to consider getting swept away by curling.

Scottish roots

Curling is one of the world ’s oldest team sports, according to governing body World Curling. It’s thought to have originated in Scotland more than 500 years ago and might have started as a pastime of throwing stones over ice on frozen lochs during harsh winters. The first curling clubs were formed in Scotland – where the sport is still hugely popular – and then spread to other cold-climate countries and areas where Scots settled, such as Canada, the US and New Zealand, as well as the Nordic nations. It became an Olympic sport in 1924, with men’s teams competing at the inaugural Winter Games in Chamonix, France.