Curling has been steadily gaining popularity across the United States in recent years. From coast to coast, curling centers have sprung up, offering opportunities for both seasoned players and newcomers to get involved. Explore the map below to see if there’s a curling facility near you. (No ice in your area? No problem. We can bring the curling to you with our iceless curling solutions!)
Who is curling for?
- All Skill Levels: Caters to all levels, with Corporate Curling providing instruction and diverse leagues.
- Recreational and Competitive: Play locally and socially or compete regionally, accommodating varying commitment levels.
- Diversity and Inclusion: Welcomes individuals of all ages, genders, backgrounds, and abilities.
- Mixed-Gender Play: Features common mixed-gender teams.
- Accessible Facilities: Prioritizes accessibility, adapting the game for individuals with mobility impairments.
Why try curling?
- Teamwork and Social Interaction: Fostering camaraderie, curling is a supportive community.
- Inclusivity: Welcoming all ages, genders, and skill levels, curling encourages mixed-gender teams.
- Physical Activity and Exercise: An excellent workout, engaging body strength and coordination.
- Strategic Thinking: “Chess on ice,” curling’s intellectual challenge is rewarding.
- Accessibility: Inclusive with adaptations like wheelchair curling.
- All-Weather Recreation: A unique cold-weather pastime in curling facilities and a year-round activity with iceless curling rinks.
- Tradition and History: Rooted in rich history, connecting to cultural traditions.
- Fun and Entertainment: A fun and entertaining sport, with well-executed shots contributing to overall enjoyment.
Where is curling located?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOk9SVzqHsk
Fun facts about curling:
Curling terms:
Back Line
A line at the back of the rings extending across the full width of the sheet of ice which indicates the boundary of the playing area. Stones that fully cross the Back Line are no longer in play.
Biter
A stone that just touches the outer edge of the outside circle of the rings when viewed from above.
Blank End
An end resulting in no score for either team as no stones are touching any of the rings after all stones have been delivered.
Button
The small circle at the center of the rings.
Counter
Any stone in or touching the rings, which is considered a potential point.
Draw
A shot delivered with the right amount of force to slide into the rings and come to a stop. For example, participants can deliver a draw to the button.
Delivery
The action of delivering or pushing a stone towards the intended target.
Double Take-Out
A shot where the delivered stone removes two of the opponent’s stones from play.
End
Similar to a frame in bowling or an inning in baseball, one round of curling is called an end. When all 16 stones have been delivered from one end of the sheet to the other, the end is complete. Most games consist of eight or ten ends.
Extra End
An additional end played to break a tie at the end of regulation play.
Freeze
A form of the draw shot wherein the delivered stone stops directly in front of (ideally touching) another stone.
Guard
A shot wherein the delivered stone is placed in a specific position so as to protect another stone.
Handle
The part of a curling stone that a player grips in order to deliver.
Hammer
The last stone of an end. The team delivering second will have “the hammer.”
Hit
A shot that removes a stone from the playing area by hitting it with the delivered stone. Also called a take-out.
Hit & Roll
A shot where the delivered stone removes another stone from the playing area and the delivered stone rolls to another position in play.
Hog Line
The thick horizontal line situated 15 feet in front of the rings. A stone must completely cross the hog line to remain in play.
Hogged Stone
A delivered stone that is removed from play because it did not come to rest having completely crossed the hog line at the playing end.
House
The rings or circles toward which play is directed consisting of a 12-foot ring, 8-foot ring, 4-foot ring and a button. A stone must be touching (or fully in) the house at the completion of the end in order to be a potential point.
Peel
A shot where the delivered stone removes another stone from play and the delivered stone also rolls out of play.
Raise
A form of the draw shot where the delivered stone bumps another stone forward to come to rest in the rings/house.
Raise Take-Out
A shot where a delivered stone hits a stationary stone, which in turn hits a third stone and removes it from play.
Rings
The three concentric circles towards which play is directed. Also known as the House.
Scoring
A team scores one point for each of its stones that is touching or within the rings AND closer to the button than any of the opposing team’s stones.
Stone
The large granite rock with attached handle that is delivered towards the house to score points in curling. Stones are 42-44lbs each.
Sheet
The entire playing area of a curling game, much like a bowling lane. Each sheet is approximately 126 feet long and 15 feet wide.
Sweeping
The act of using synthetic broom-like devices in a push/pull motion in the path of a travelling stone. Sweeping allows stones to travel farther and influences their trajectory.
Shot Stone
At any time during an end, the stone that is closest to the button.
Take-Out
A shot that removes a stone from the playing area by hitting it with the delivered stone. Also called a hit.
Weight
The velocity given to a stone when delivered.