EAGLE RIVER - Several Northwoods folks decided to compete in an outdoor curling tournament last year near Sugar Camp.

They had so much fun, they decided to try and form a league.

4 teams, 16 players, and 2 frozen lakes. Joe Dufek has more in today's "Northwoods Spotlight."

Action on a pair of frozen lakes just south of Eagle River has really picked up this winter. But these guys are not ice fishing. Curling is the name of the game. But at Johnny Nick's and Kathan Inn, the sport is played outside.


"We realized, 'Let's try to build a rink outside and keep this thing going,'" Justin Pitlik of Johnny Nick's "A" team said. "In the winter months, we have something to do and have a lot of fun."

It's called the Northwoods Pond Curling League. 4 teams playing on either Kathan Lake or Dam Lake. Most of these players have never curled before.

This grass-roots league, or should I say ice-roots league had to be creative with their equipment. The rinks are spray-painted. Event he stones are home made.

Mike Warwick of Kathan Inn "A" team explains the stones are, "stainless steel dog dishes to keep the cost down. I know that sounds funny, but we want to keep the cost down. There is concrete inside - weights 40 pounds. That's the weight of a curling stone."

Most of players will likely not be seen on an Olympic stage, everyone has tried to keep the rules in tact. Although some rules were adjusted to keep the activity fun. Only two women are playing this year. They throw from the Hogline.

They hope the league will have more teams next year, and attract both curlers and rookies to the fun.

Story By: Joe Dufek