Introduction to Curling

Curling involves two teams, normally of four each, sliding 44lb granite stones over ice towards a target, the house, 126 feet away. Each player will play two stones each and teams score depending on how many they have nearer the centre of the house than their opponents. Once all the stones have been played, a new "end" begins with players sliding the stones back up the ice to the house at the other end of the rink. A game will last two hours, which will normally allow 7 or 8 ends to be played.

Don't worry about the details, your team members will "keep you right" and gradually introduce you to the technique, rules and tactics.

 Your Role

As a beginner, you will play your two stones first, taking turns with your opposite number. Your skip will tell you where to aim for.

When not delivering your stones you will be following the stones of your team-mates down the ice ready to "sweep" with your brush when your skip tells you. This helps a slow stone maintain its speed and if necessary helps to keep a stone from curving as it travels.

When you first start you will be doing well to get your stones into the house. As your skill develops, you will begin playing second then third and eventually playing as skip. You will be able to play more advanced shots such as knocking opponents stones out of the house or curving your shot round other stones to reach the your target.

What You Need

You don't need any special equipment to play curling. The stones and the brush are supplied by the curling rink. The other main piece of equipment is your shoes. Specialised curling shoes have a rubber sole to provide grip on the ice. They can cost around £60 or more. A good alternative is to use trainers with a soft rubber sole. These will provide a similar grip without the expense. Soft rubber soles offer the best grip. Harder plastic-like soles can be treacherous. The soles should be clean and free from dirt that might come off and get caught under a stone. Even a small piece of grit can cause the stone to veer off target. Cary your trainers to the rink and change into them there.

Some Common Questions

How much does it cost?
This years club membership is £22 and the ice fees are £90 which covers 10 games. In addition there are special competitions throughout the season that you might want to try.

An option that you might want to try is to join as a reserve player. This costs £7 and then £6 per game that you are called on to play in. You can also play in any of the additional competitions.

Is it slippery? - Will I fall?

Of course the ice will be slippery. It's ice. However, the ice is pebbled (sprinkled with water to form tiny bumps) and with suitable footwear you will be amazed at how steady you are. Falls are very uncommon but you should take it easy until you get used to the ice.

Will it be cold?
Although it will be cold in the curling rink, you can build up a fair amount of body heat if you are required to sweep. Normally a shirt and a jumper will suffice. If you wear too much for your first games you can always remove a layer and hang it up at the end of the rink.

Is it difficult?
It takes practice to play well, but a complete beginner can be playing and enjoying themselves on their first game. There is normally one or two beginner's practice games at the start of the season to get you started. You will learn from the other players as you go along and if you want there are various classes that you can take to improve your game.

Will I fit in as a complete beginner?
Complete beginners are welcome. If you want to try it before committing to playing in a team, you can join as a reserve. When teams are short of a player they will ask the reserves to make up numbers. This gives you an ideal opportunity to have a few games and decide if curling is for you.

For an animated explanation of some of the curling terms visit Curling Basics.

Safety

Some basic rules to ensure your safety on the ice.

• Don't run or fool around
• Don't step over any stones - that extra reach might induce a slip and landing on the stones could cause worse injury
• Don't step on the bumpers - they move
• Don't lift the stones - if you drop them, 44lb of granite could injure a foot or damage the ice
• Keep alert for stray stones - stones can easily go astray and enter adjacent rinks. Be aware of this and if you see a stone heading for someone shout a warning. The curling equivalent of the golf "fore" is "ice"
• Use you brush to stop or move the stones - if you try and stop a fast moving stone with your foot it may knock you off balance
• If you do fall try and tuck your head in to avoid it hitting the ice

And remember - have fun