Oakland Curling Club Sees Surge in Interest After Olympics

The San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club is the only dedicated curling facility in California, offering 'learn to curl' workshops and beginner lessons.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club, the only dedicated curling facility in California, is seeing a surge in interest after the 2026 Winter Olympics. The club is hosting dozens of 'learn to curl' workshops and beginner lessons through the spring to introduce the sport to new participants. Curling is an accessible winter sport that doesn't require specialized equipment or high physical fitness, making it appealing to a wide range of people from kids to older adults.

Why it matters

Curling has traditionally been a niche sport in the San Francisco Bay Area, but the opening of the dedicated curling facility in Oakland has made it more accessible. The club's growth in the wake of the Olympics highlights how major sporting events can drive interest in lesser-known sports and bring new communities together around shared activities.

The details

The San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club's facility, located just off Hegenberger Road near the Coliseum DMV office, opened several months after the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing. This year is the club's first opportunity to capitalize on the increased curling interest that typically follows the Olympics. The club is offering classes to teach the basics of the sport, from delivering shots to sweeping, as well as leagues and pickup games for new and experienced curlers.

  • The San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club opened its facility in Oakland several months after the 2022 Winter Olympics.
  • The club is hosting dozens of 'learn to curl' workshops and beginner lessons through the spring of 2026.

The players

San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club

The only dedicated curling facility in California, located in Oakland. The club offers classes, leagues, and pickup games to introduce the sport to new participants.

Erin McInrue Savage

One of the roughly 250 members of the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club.

Gabrielle Coleman

A coach at the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club who first got involved in the sport after watching the 2006 Olympics, and later competed in the U.S. Olympic trials.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Because it is so approachable, that makes it really great for people of any ability to be able to participate.”

— Erin McInrue Savage, Member, San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club (The Oaklandside)

“We'll take funny videos and laugh at each other. And the joke was totally on us, because we got down there and it was awesome.”

— Gabrielle Coleman, Coach, San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club (The Oaklandside)

“There's much more ice time, and it's high-quality ice. You can train to play at an international level.”

— Gabrielle Coleman, Coach, San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club (The Oaklandside)

What’s next

The San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club is planning to host watch parties at Pizzeria Violetta in West Oakland's Prescott Market during the medal matches at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The takeaway

The growth of the San Francisco Bay Area Curling Club in the wake of the 2026 Winter Olympics demonstrates how major sporting events can drive interest in lesser-known sports and bring new communities together around shared activities. Curling's accessibility makes it an appealing option for a wide range of participants, from kids to older adults, further expanding its appeal in the Bay Area.