INUVIK - To the untrained eye Chan Chin looks like an experienced curler as he slides along the ice, gently releasing his stone.

Chan Chin watches his rock closely during Friday night fun night last week. - Andrew Rankin/NNSL photos

But just as he loosens his grasp, his form breaks causing him to lose balance momentarily. But he quickly regains his form. No problem.

Chin's quick to admit he's no pro but of course that's not what he's after. It's his first year at it. He's curling mainly to get involved; to get to know some people in the community and get a little better at the sport. A practising dentist here since January, the 25-year-old is among four others from the Western Arctic Dental Group who decided to give the Friday night fun night a go. Thirteen other teams show up to the curling club from 8 to 9 p.m. each Friday to throw a few rocks, share a few laughs and sometimes, afterwards, a beer or two.

"It's a social thing," said Chin, who also plays rec basketball every week. "It's really fun and it's a nice way to spend a Friday evening."

Chin said he's happy with his progress, realizing he's got a ways to go, especially with his delivery.

"Just getting the balance right is difficult, but at this point everything is hard," he said.

"If you've never played it before it looks easy but it isn't. But the shots some of them make are amazing; they never miss a shot."

Chin and his crew also signed up for Thursday night's beginner's league, where they're learning the fundamentals from league president Nick Saturnino. So far Saturnino has been impressed with what he's seen.

"They have a great attitude, they show up and are eager to learn," he said. "They're getting better and they seem to be having a lot of fun, which is what it's all about."

Shandie Tanner, Chin's teammate, couldn't wait to get curling and agrees - so far so good.

"We laugh a lot, try our best and when it's over we might have a few drinks afterwards," she said.

Though she's never actually curled before, the dental hygienist describes herself as a huge sports and curling fan who embraced the opportunity to play. So far she finds controlling the speed of the rock pretty difficult. But it's coming along.

"I don't really think I'm good at anything yet, but I'm trying," she said with a laugh.

She admits her squad isn't all that great now but she says that will come in time.

The Friday Night Fun league will be accepting new teams until next Friday. To register contact Nick Saturnino.

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