Get Ready for the Winter Olympics in the D.C. Region

Learn to curl, speed skate, and more at local clubs and classes

Jan. 30, 2026 at 4:23pm

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This article highlights opportunities in the Washington D.C. area for people to train for and participate in winter Olympic sports like curling and speed skating, or just have fun trying them out. It profiles local clubs and classes that offer instruction and facilities for these activities.

Why it matters

With the Winter Olympics just around the corner, the D.C. region is providing chances for both aspiring Olympians and casual sports enthusiasts to get involved in popular cold-weather events. These programs can help develop local talent, promote healthy lifestyles, and build community around shared athletic interests.

The details

The article takes readers to the Potomac Curling Club in Laurel, Maryland, where club president Alison Kemp and curler Andy Dunham provide a lesson on the basics of the sport. It also highlights the U.S. Capital Blades Speedskating Club and Potomac Speedskating Club, which offer beginner classes, as well as 16-year-old local Olympian Brandon Kim's training regimen. Other winter sports options mentioned include ice hockey, figure skating, and downhill skiing at facilities across Northern Virginia and Maryland.

  • The Winter Olympics start next week in Italy.
  • The Potomac Curling Club is holding its annual open house on February 21.
  • Brandon Kim, a Thomas Jefferson High School alum, is one of six locals representing the U.S. at this year's Olympics.

The players

Alison Kemp

President of the Potomac Curling Club.

Andy Dunham

A long-time local curler who nearly qualified for the Olympics four years ago.

Brandon Kim

A 16-year-old from Fairfax, Virginia who started speed skating at age 9 and is now representing the U.S. at the Olympics.

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What they’re saying

“Good listening and following directions[are needed], because the skip of the team will be telling you what to do throughout the game. They call the shots, they yell for sweeping. So being able to work in a team environment is really important.”

— Alison Kemp, Club president (WAMU)

“You could be the strongest guy, but if you don't have that technique down, you're going to be wasting a lot of your energy, and you're not necessarily going be as fast as someone that might be weaker, smaller than you.”

— Brandon Kim (WAMU)

What’s next

The Potomac Curling Club is holding its annual open house on February 21, providing an opportunity for the public to try the sport.

The takeaway

The D.C. region offers a variety of options for both aspiring Olympians and casual sports enthusiasts to get involved in popular winter activities like curling and speed skating, helping to develop local talent and promote healthy lifestyles in the community.