Frequently Asked Questions
Just what exactly is curling, anyway?
Curling is a winter sport played on a sheet of ice about 140 feet long and 14 feet wide. The goal is to slide 42-pound stones from one end of the sheet to the other, towards a target at the far end. We have a full primer on the sport of curling on our
Curling 101 page.
Sweeping the ice in front of a moving stone helps the stone travel farther and straighter down the ice. There's a sweeping section on the Curling 101 page that explains more.
No, it's rather inexpensive. You don't need to purchase your own equipment to get started; the curling club can loan you brooms and sliders, and curling stones are owned by the club. All you need to pay are club dues and fees; see the membership page for more information about costs for the Triangle Curling Club.
Once you've played for a while, you may wish to purchase your own equipment. The menu bar at the top contains links to various on-line distributors of curling equipment and apparel.
I've never curled before! Do you provide any training or instruction?
Absolutely. We will work closely with you to help you learn the game.
You may elect to attend one of our periodic Open Houses or Learn to Curl workshops
(check the club calendar for upcoming Learn to Curl sessions), or you can simply show up to a match and get hands-on training. Instructors will teach you rules, fundamentals, technique, etiquette, and basic strategy. Any club member will also be happy to answer any questions you may have.
Curling is a winter sport, and it's played on ice. Naturally, warm-weather clothing is suggested. It's recommended that you wear several layers of light clothing (e.g. a t-shirt, a sweater, and a light jacket); you may get warm from sweeping during the course of a game. You should wear loose-fitting pants or slacks, or athletic pants. Jeans are not recommended, as they generally are too tight to allow the freedom of movement required to deliver a stone.
You may purchase dedicated curling shoes, but many new curlers wear clean, flat-soled tennis shoes, and use a Teflon slip-on slider for delivery. Even a strip of duct tape stuck to the bottom of a shoe can be used as a slider. Don't forget to wear warm socks; standing on a sheet of ice, your feet will be the first thing to get cold.
Other equipment can be loaned to you by the club.
Once you've played for a while, you may wish to purchase your specialized curling apparel. The link bar at the left contains links to various on-line distributors of curling equipment and apparel.
Am I too old/young to start curling?
Not at all! There are curlers of all ages. Although you do need the strength to deliver a 42-pound curling stone, this does not involve lifting the stone; most teenagers and seniors can manage it easily. (Young children often use lighter youth curling stones.)
No. Most people can use an extension handle, a stick that attaches to the
curling stone handle and allows for a modified delivery that doesn't require
bending. For people who use wheelchairs, there is even a dedicated
wheelchair curling association.
