Curling. Review on General Tips on Indoor Games

Curling is one of Canada's national winter pastimes. The game was created in Scotland. Teams can be made up of only men, women or mixed teams.

The Gear

You need shoes, that won't slip, a curling rock and one broom/brush. Depending how you sweep you can make the rock go faster or smooth the ice. It's the friction that determines what the speed will be. Some people like to wear the same colored shirt. Both men and women wear long pants.

How To Play The Game

In Canada the curling arenas are cold, and we often have to wear curling sweaters. The first time I knit any thing, was a sweater for my husband. He's about 6 foot 3, and the sweater was so long, a tall basket ball player could have worn it. He was a good sport and wore it!

Two teams, with four players, play each other, along long sheets of ice, (14 feet wide and 138 feet long). You can have as many games going on, until there is no more ice.

On the far side is a bulls eye, (with four rings), and that is what you are aiming your granite rock at. The rock has a handle so you can try to steer it to the spot on the ice, where the spotter has their broom.

The weakest person throws first, and the skip throws last. Before the first game it is determined what team will begin. The team that begins, throws the first rock, and the other team throws the last rock.

The point of the game is to get your rock across two hog lines, and as close to the center of the rings. If your team has some rocks within the ring, your rock may be used to guard them.

Sometimes you will be asked to sacrifice, by aiming your stone at the oppositions stone, that is in the house, (rings).

Two members of your team will try and help you. They do this by sweeping the ice in front of your rock.

The game is over when the skip throws the last rock. The team that has the closest number of rocks, closest to the eye, (with no rocks from your opposition between them), wins the game.

Then you play a second game with the other team leading first.

It's Your Turn

Now you are ready to play. You go first and pick up your rock. If you have bowl before, this will be easy for you. If you haven't, then pick up the rock by the handle, stare at the place the skip has place the broom, take a little run, (but don't cross the line), and bend one knee, leaving the other leg behind you. You throw the rock, as hard as you can, and pray it lands near the broom.

The first few times you may fall on your face, but I hope you'll keep trying, because this is a fun game to play.

The Best Players

Once a year they have a Bonfield, with the top players, (in each Country), trying to win. The winner in each country goes to the International Bonfield.

~This year, (from April 1st to 10th), it was in Victoria, at our new Save-On Foods arena. The Bonfield was sponsored by the Ford Company of Canada.

I would like to apologize to the people who attended, for only being able to buy cold food, drinks, beer and coffee, in the two booths that were open. Next time you visit, I know the other booths will be open, and as soon as you enter the arena, you will smell the fried onions sizzling.

Congratulations to the United States, Women's Team for winning the cup. I was very proud that Canada came second.

Congratulations to Canada's Men's Team for winning the cup. I would like to thank Scotland for sending a team that put up a good fight, and came in second.

This is the arena I saw Rod Stewart at, and if you come to Victoria, I hope you put it on your list to see.

*Try it you'll love it. It's a great way to excercise.

Thanks for reading my review.

©LL2005 *