Local curling fans came out in droves over the weekend to the Oilfields Curling Club in Black Diamond to spend time either watching or getting coached by Canadian and Olympic Champ Marc Kennedy.

Kennedy says no matter how big a star he is, it's always good to give back at the local level.

"I know I'm getting older but I remember being out on the ice with Kevin Martin and Jules Owchar and Ken Hunka and guys like that, teaching you how to curl. That's what makes curling so special is the tight knit community and the chance to hang out with curling "rock stars" and pick up a few tips here and there."

Kennedy, who took last season off, is back again this year and has joined Northern Ontario's Brad Jacobs rink as his third.

"I got healthier and I was exhausted mentally and physically. So, I loved taking the year off. You know, this opportunity just literally fell into my lap. I don't know if I would have come back if it wasn't for the chance to play on one of the best teams in the world."

He says he's excited to get back on the ice after a year off.

"We definitely have some big goals. We'd love to win another Brier. We'd love to get into the Olympic trials and maybe have another chance to get back to the Olympics. But, there's so much depth in Canada for curling, they're so hard to win, you just want to put yourself in those situations. You know, we have a good enough team with enough talent and experience that we'll be knocking on the door and hopefully some things can go our way."

Jacobs won Olympic gold in 2014 in Sochi and the 2013 Brier.