(Radio Iowa) – The sport of curling may see a resurgence in popularity next month as the Winter Olympics open, but Iowans won’t have to travel to Milan, Italy, to try it themselves. Emily Nelson, spokeswoman for Cedar Rapids Curling, says they’re offering several 90-minute “learn to curl” training sessions over the next several weeks.

The Winter Games open on February 6th but the international curling events actually start a few days earlier, on the 4th.

The sport reportedly began on the frozen lochs and marshes of Scotland during the early 1500s. The modern version of curling still involves sliding large stones across the ice toward targets, and while it may look easy, Nelson assures there’s an abundance of skill involved.

Regular curling leagues are underway in Cedar Rapids with about 65 members, ranging in age from pre-teens into the 70s. Learn to curl events are scheduled for February 17th and 24th, and March 3rd and 7th.

For details, visit www.cedarrapidscurling.com.