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LIIDLII KUE/FORT SIMPSON - It wasn't the Brier.

Would be curlers took to the ice at the Fort Simpson Curling Club over the weekend for a first crack at the sport.

The club hosted a learn to curl clinic from Dec. 5 to 6 to encourage new people to take up the sport and to help novice curlers improve their skills.

Allan Humphrey, left, and curling instructor Gary Hoffman watch as Robert Harold prepares to throw a stone during the second day of a curling clinic held at the Fort Simpson Curling Club. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

Curling is a good winter sport because people of all ages can do it, said Gary Hoffman, a member of NWT Curling from Hay River who led the clinic.

The youngest curlers, Little Rocks, play on half the ice and people can continue all the way up to the masters' division, Hoffman said. Curling is also affordable and very sociable, he said.

"Curling is fun, you can play it with your friends," said Hoffman.

Hoffman worked with students from Bompas elementary school and Thomas Simpson school during the day on Friday before running a clinic for adults in the evening.

The clinic started with the very basics.

"The first thing to do is just get comfortable walking on the ice," said Hoffman.

The sliding motion that's used for walking and sweeping on the ice is unique and takes awhile to get used to, he said.

The next step is to get comfortable when in the hack and sliding out to deliver a stone.

"It's all about going slow and easy and getting your balance," he said.

Focusing on the basic skills allows curlers to develop a stronger game as they play more, said Hoffman.

"The ones who wind up at the Olympics do exactly the same thing, it's the basics," he said.

Hoffman was invited to offer the clinic as part of the club's goal to increase membership, said Leah Keats, the president of the Fort Simpson Curling Club.

"We really want to build up the membership, and build up new blood and new ideas," Keats said.

Last year, the club had approximately 45 adult members, said Keats.

The goal this year is to get 60 full members, enough for 12 teams

The clinic was offered free of charge so people could come and try the sport without investing anything, she said.

The clinic was also timed for the beginning of the season so that regular curlers could pick up some tips to build on.

The club is also trying some new initiatives this year all aimed at getting more people out on the ice and into the curling lounge.

The club is starting mixed doubles curling on Tuesdays at 8 p.m.

The benefit to mixed doubles is that you only need two people on a team in order to curl, said Keats.

This year, the club is also renting out the rink and the curling lounge for special occasions -- such as birthday parties and private functions.

The new initiative is designed to get people into the facility and utilizing the space, she said.

The calendar of curling events is already starting to fill up.

League nights have started on Friday nights.

On Dec. 20 the club is hosting a Christmas potluck and curling night.

The first bonspiel, the family glo-spiel will be held on Jan. 3.

The biggest event of the season will be the Merchant's Bonspiel, which is celebrating its 20th anniversary, said Keats.

The bonspiel will be held from Jan. 29 to Feb. 1.

To mark the anniversary Keats aid the club is hoping to entice back some curlers who used to be active in the club but haven't been on the ice in for some time.

The goal is to have 24 teams in the competition.

Even if a resident isn't interested in curling, Keats encourages them to become an associate member so they can come to the curling lounge, watch the action and socialize.

"It's a fun place to be," said Keats.