Increasing numbers of people are giving curling a try, says one coach in Tunbridge Wells.
A Kent curling club has said it has seen a spike in interest following the Winter Olympics.
Steve Lea, a volunteer coach at the Tunbridge Wells Curling Club (TWCC), said he was amazed by the number of new players.
"Since the Winter Olympics we've had around a thousand people come through our doors to try curling," he told BBC Radio Kent.
"It's a sport for everyone whatever their physical ability and age," he added.
'Concentration, precision and many hours'
Tom North, who had travelled from Brighton to try a curling course, said the sport was a "lot more difficult" than it seemed.
"I'm not normally a sporty person, but it always looks fun on the TV," he said.
"I'm enjoying it so far."
Zoe Miles, from Eastbourne, in East Sussex, told BBC Radio Kent she was trying curling for the first time at the club.
"Our kids got really into it when the mixed doubles were on at the Olympics this year," she said.
"We're hoping they can join us on the ice when they're older."
Ben Gillard, a coach at TWCC, said the sport was relatively easy to pick up but difficult to master.
"To be a good curler you need concentration, precision and many hours on the ice to perfect your technique," he said.
He added that he had competed professionally in Scotland, Belgium and Finland.
"It was something I did for fun at weekends and then it spiralled into competitions and joining the England team," Gillard said.
Team GB got silver in the men's curling at the 2026 Winter Olympics, which was held in Italy.
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Category: General Sports
