Between Boise and Sun Valley NASJA planned a short stop at the small Soldier Mt. ski area, only to find that it is closed Wednesdays. Instead we spent the morning at the Idaho Ice Center learning curling. First about 10 minutes of class instruction:
On the ice here is a close up view of one of the 42lb rocks.
Curling rocks are all made at the same granite quarry in Scotland, where the sport was invented. Each rock costs $1,000 new but maybe as low as $300 used. New curling clubs often have to borrow to buy the rocks and repay with membership fees over time. The bottom of the rock is concave and could stick to smooth ice with a suction effect. Thus the ice is first misted to create a pebbling effect, and often must be smoothed after a curling session with a Zamboni if the ice is next being used for figure skating or hockey.
Our instructor demonstrates throwing while a couple of NASJA members practice brushing.
The brushing immediately in front of the rock helps it maintain speed. The rock moves straight until it is slowing down; then it can "curl" left or right depending upon the initial spin the thrower put on the handle. The "skip," captain of a 4 person team, will instruct his brushers into action if he thinks the rock is moving too slowly.
Once the rock passes the center of the house (the bullseye painted on the ice) the opposing team can brush in front of it to make the rock go too far.
Our group was divided into 4 teams to play a game. Here is Claudia Carbone throwing the rock:
The back leg pushes off the "hack," which is like a track starting block secured to the ice. The front foot is on a teflon pad that will slide on the ice. We beginners would often fall to one side at the end of the throw if not perfectly balanced over the front foot.
The score of each curling "end" (8 alternating throws by each team) is the number of rocks inside the house for the winning team which are also inside the closest rock of the other team. There is an obvious advantage to throwing last (known as the "hammer"). Here our team in yellow is set to score 3 points before the final throw:
But the red team's hammer hit our closest rock and we lose 1 point instead of winning 3.
No lead is safe in curling!
On the ice here is a close up view of one of the 42lb rocks.
Curling rocks are all made at the same granite quarry in Scotland, where the sport was invented. Each rock costs $1,000 new but maybe as low as $300 used. New curling clubs often have to borrow to buy the rocks and repay with membership fees over time. The bottom of the rock is concave and could stick to smooth ice with a suction effect. Thus the ice is first misted to create a pebbling effect, and often must be smoothed after a curling session with a Zamboni if the ice is next being used for figure skating or hockey.
Our instructor demonstrates throwing while a couple of NASJA members practice brushing.
The brushing immediately in front of the rock helps it maintain speed. The rock moves straight until it is slowing down; then it can "curl" left or right depending upon the initial spin the thrower put on the handle. The "skip," captain of a 4 person team, will instruct his brushers into action if he thinks the rock is moving too slowly.
Once the rock passes the center of the house (the bullseye painted on the ice) the opposing team can brush in front of it to make the rock go too far.
Our group was divided into 4 teams to play a game. Here is Claudia Carbone throwing the rock:
The back leg pushes off the "hack," which is like a track starting block secured to the ice. The front foot is on a teflon pad that will slide on the ice. We beginners would often fall to one side at the end of the throw if not perfectly balanced over the front foot.
The score of each curling "end" (8 alternating throws by each team) is the number of rocks inside the house for the winning team which are also inside the closest rock of the other team. There is an obvious advantage to throwing last (known as the "hammer"). Here our team in yellow is set to score 3 points before the final throw:
But the red team's hammer hit our closest rock and we lose 1 point instead of winning 3.
No lead is safe in curling!
