A love for curling grows
11/5/2025
Jacob Pitzenberger (right) said, “It (curling) kind of took me by surprise. Like I said, I showed up once, and I was like, OK, I’m gonna keep doing this. Any chance I get, I’ll keep doing this.”
For most people, curling is a sport they tune into during the Olympics when one of the other major ones is not on screen. For others, it is their hobby. For Jacob Pitzenberger, it is one of several hobbies
Pitzenberger grew up in Mason City and graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in animal ecology. For the last 12 years, he has been managing a hunting and wildlife preserve just outside of West Des Moines.
The love for animals extends to another of his hobbies — wildlife photography. Add in that Pitzenberger also plays in a soccer league, and you have found yourself one busy body. How he got into the least likely of the three hobbies, curling, was due to a friend.
“My introduction was through a friend who I got a text from one afternoon, asking if I wanted to sub on his curling team,” Pitzenberger said. “I was like, yeah, that sounds awesome. I went, and I had no idea what I was doing. He walked me through it in about five minutes. I was awful the first time, but I just had to keep going back after that.”
That was two years ago. Pitzenberger subbed regularly for his friend’s team until he was able to sign up full-time. He and his team play in the Des Moines Curling Club. The group competes at the RecPlex in West Des Moines. While he does appreciate the ability to play, he would like it if the group had its own space to curl. He mentioned how nice the ice is at the RecPlex and how well-maintained it is with its variety of uses.
“I just got an email a few days ago that they’re just starting to raise funds to try to build a dedicated ice. I’ve never curled on dedicated ice, but, from what I’m told, it’s a very different experience,” Pitzenberger said.
Curling, on the slippery surface, is difficult. But, just like the slippery surface, once you get going, it is difficult to stop.
“It’s really easy to get hooked on and to get pretty good at, but one of those things that’s really hard to master,” Pitzenberger said.
Unlike sports like soccer or basketball where fields or courts are easier to access, getting time on the ice, and with the proper equipment, is challenging. The time they are able to play or practice is limited. It’s also much easier to find a basketball than a curling stone.
“That’s been the biggest challenge — getting that ice time and getting out there,” Pitzenberger said. “I don’t even know where you buy the stones. Luckily, one of the beautiful things is that the curling club provides everything. Any beginner could just show up in a pair of tennis shoes. I think one of the coolest things they do is a learn to curl night, so people can sign up for that with zero experience and they’ve got a bunch of experienced curlers there that’ll help them learn from scratch. That’s super cool,” Pitzenberger said.
The slow pace of the game makes it easier to relax and enjoy, according to Pitzenberger.
“You’re in an environment where you’re right there with your opponents, but you have time to chat, get to know each other, and you meet new people kind of every week,” Pitzenberger said.
His preferred position is “skip,” the person who is on the opposite end of the ones rolling the stones, showing them where to throw it, what spin to put on it, etc.
“I love the tactical aspect of it. I’ve learned a lot about curling, the way a lot of people learn most things now — hours and hours of YouTube videos. Things like placing stones in certain places that don’t seem like they make sense until you think about things technically, and how they can come into play later,” Pitzenberger said.
It took time for some of his teammates to adjust to his technical prowess, but he says it has worked out for the best.
“I would tell one of my guys where I wanted to put the stone. I could just see him looking at me, like, ‘Why? No, that’s an awful shot. Why would I do that?’ Trust me, four shots down the road, this is going to come in handy,” Pitzenberger said with a laugh.
He also enjoys sweeping, where players feverishly, or gently, brush the ice to create speed or slow down stones, although he says he does not do it much.
“Sometimes, I miss that, because it is actually a really good workout. You can work up a sweat for sure,” Pitzenberger said.
The advice Pitzenberger would give to someone interested in getting into curling is simple: It’s not too much of a commitment, and the community is a fun one to be a part of.
“Just show up, be open-minded and be willing to laugh at yourself, because there are going to be some funny moments. Show up for a few sessions, and you’ll pick it up pretty quickly. Everyone is willing to help, especially if they know that you’re new,” Pitzenberger said. ♦
