Charleston Curling Club Sees Surge in Interest After Winter Olympics

The club has tripled attendance at its introductory "Learn to Curl" sessions as curling gains fresh momentum in the Lowcountry.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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As the 2026 Winter Olympics wrap up, the Charleston Curling Club is reporting a surge in interest, with a growing number of newcomers signing up to try the sport. The club, which hosts sessions at the Carolina Ice Palace, says attendance at its introductory "Learn to Curl" sessions has tripled, with waitlists quickly filling up. Many first-time curlers are finding the sport more physically demanding than they expected.

Why it matters

The increased interest in curling in Charleston reflects a broader trend seen across the country following the Winter Olympics. The sport's accessibility, with its ability to welcome people of all ages, body types, and skill levels, is part of its growing appeal.

The details

The Charleston Curling Club, founded by Amanda Smith, the club's vice president, hosts its sessions at the Carolina Ice Palace, just minutes from Northwoods Mall. First-time curlers are learning that the sport is more demanding than it looks on television, with several newcomers admitting they underestimated the athleticism involved. Club secretary Graham Smith said the response has exceeded expectations, with attendance at the introductory sessions tripling and waitlists quickly filling up.

  • The Winter Olympics wrapped up in February 2026.

The players

Amanda Smith

The founder and vice president of the Charleston Curling Club.

Graham Smith

The secretary of the Charleston Curling Club.

Tabitha Peterson

An Olympic curler whom first-time curler Sara Siegel attended high school with.

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What they’re saying

“It's kind of like golf. It's easy to learn, hard to master.”

— Amanda Smith, Founder and Vice President, Charleston Curling Club (abcnews4.com)

“People think it's more of a chess match than a sport, but it's way more physical than I expected.”

— Sara Siegel, First-time curler (abcnews4.com)

“It's been wild in terms of demand. We've tripled the number of people coming out for each session, and our waitlist is stacked.”

— Graham Smith, Secretary, Charleston Curling Club (abcnews4.com)

“I've only fallen once, so I'm pretty proud of that. The hard part is the balance.”

— Michelle Cooper, First-time curler (abcnews4.com)

“I feel like two hours isn't enough.”

— Michelle Cooper, First-time curler (abcnews4.com)

What’s next

The Charleston Curling Club plans to continue offering its introductory "Learn to Curl" sessions to meet the growing demand for the sport in the Lowcountry.

The takeaway

The surge in interest in curling at the Charleston Curling Club following the 2026 Winter Olympics highlights the sport's growing appeal, particularly its accessibility to people of all ages, body types, and skill levels. The club's ability to quickly expand its offerings to meet the increased demand demonstrates the potential for curling to continue gaining momentum as a popular recreational activity in the region.