A common question to curlers.

But the reality is that all 4 curlers on a team deliver two rocks each end (like innings in baseball) and sweep throughout the game.

Most people who get to experience curling on TV rarely see a full 2.5 hour ten end championship level game.   Unless you address is in Canada.  (and then you see them every weekend like a baseball game)

When it is shown, the game is highly edited, showing only the later shots, leaving out the "Lead", "Second" and sometime "Vice-Skips" Shots to just show the Money shots but the "Skip"

Last years Olympics, however was not as bad and we should expect more of the same in 2010 due to the growing popularity.

Sweeping makes curling a team activity by allow all four players on a curling team to work together with the aim to  reach a better outcome than without sweeping

You sweep for two reasons.

• Distance (weight) -  The reduced friction to the ice surface will allow a stone to glide up to 15' longer than without sweeping.  This is about 10% of the total distance (126' to the center of the target) the stone can travel.
• Line (curling trajectory) -  Sweeping delays the curling action of the stone and extends the trajectory it travels allowing a stone to curl behind another rock or hitting it a rock in a better location.

The problems are one can easily over sweep  a stone so a good curler need a keen sence of observation to know when to sweep.  Some curlers will use stop watch to cue them in on the speed of a rock.

Additionally,  a delivered stone that is too heavy makes sweeping useless.  Best to deliver your rock within the 90% to 100% distance you want to achieve on a draw shot, allowing your teammates to finished it.

To see what Olympic Curlers Debbie McCormick and John Schuster have to say about sweeping  click here.

Our club has all the equipment necessary for a beginner to play including (sliders, brooms, stones, hacks, pebbler, etc)

However, a fun spirit (expecially when we toast a beverage afterwards), is always encouraged.

In addition,

• One pair of rubber-soled shoes clean of mud, rocks, etc.  The more traction or grip they have, the better.
• Layered and loosed fitted clothes that will keep you warm to 45 degrees.

Should you take to curling, like we expect.  You can buy your very own equipment any many of these stores listed on this page

Most people who try curling are surprised at the physicalness of it.

While not a necessity, the more in shape you are the better a curler you will likely become.

That being said,  the sport is a lifetime sport with curlers starting as young as 10 years old , playing well into their 70's, 80's and even 90's (as long as they are physically fit.)

Most people are not natural born curlers and simply require practice to improve their skills.  Which we  build into our beginners program.  Typically, playing with other experienced curlers to learn from.

Even those  who are moderately fit find the ability to play withing their grasp and that the main things that keep them from curling are poor sense of balance, bad backs, ankles, or  knees.

Most curlers, who join us play as individuals who we team up with other more experience curlers.  Though, we will allow you to curl with friends, associates, etc.  If that is what you prefer.