THE WORLD CURLING ALLIANCE TO PERFECT and PROMOTE

Page 2.3

Chapter 2

Most provinces conduct summer curling schools suited to juniors and adults. The curling clubs in most northern states have summer bon spiels. Every Canadian province does. It is critical to start thinking about curling in August because curling clubs have not seized on the idea of starting new leagues in November to January when golfing is over and many people get the "bug" to curl. Most clubs have open nights or periods in which an additional league could be started which would generate additional revenue. I just don't understand why they don't take advantage of the "late" crowd.

Most ice technician/managers work on a seasonal fixed salary so there is little interest in creating more work by starting another league.

 

 I SUGGEST an iron man LEAGUE be started about late November after people who curl one night a week get the bug to curl more. The reason most young people are not interested in curling is: It's not "macho" enough. A one on one iron man game is as tough as curling can get especially if you brush your own rock.

BREAK THE ICE---GET STARTED CURLING

Unlike Kelly Law in this weeks Ladies spiel (Nov.11,2001) who rubs her rock with her bare hands, over and over and over, until she rubs hand lotion and body oils into the rock running surface and then wonders why the rock does not perform like other rocks?
If you do not believe this engineer, take a club rock and rub margarine or lip balm onto the running surface and see if it performs like a "clean" rock. These products are somewhat water soluble so will not permanently damage the rock. And, if this doesn't prove the point, rub candle wax onto the running surface (more permanent). The reason a rock "curls" is the snow/frost must adhere to the running surface and causes the right friction factors that result in "curl." "Don't do what one BC club did and coat the running surface with verathane. Their rocks ran 1/2 second faster but straight as an arrow. They have since "sandpapered" the surface to again make the surface porous which is the reason granite is used in rock construction.

You may note that this rock is a porcelain inserted rock. The fine texture of the insert reduces the curl to as little as 6" with the rock actually backing up on occasion. The fine glass texture does not allow sheet ice to bond to the running surface providing the necessary "ice coating" of the running surface to facilitate curl.
fig.2.1
You have your sneakers and long johns on so we are ready to curl?

We made it to the hack. Now what? You clean your rock. See figure 2.1

1. The rock is lifted with the non throwing hand for those using the "old" system. Don't put 42 lbs. into the hand that will release with ounces of weight in the delivery/release mode. The 5"diameter ring by 1/4" wide running surface is brushed with a finger nail brush. You should use a stiff nail brush to clean the rock. Do not touch the rock with the fingers or glove. The hand and/or glove is soaked with oil and salt which will cause curl deviation between rock deliveries. There are lumps of ice and "other crud" usually adhered to this surface. This is the surface that runs on the ice and it is critical for it to be clean, otherwise, the rock may go wildly crooked after release. Observe the rock's bolt for brush hairs. Your brushers are cleaning the ice and figuring out how to bend the rock's path after the release if they know about the year curling2000 rock deflection brushing technique?

2.Next, you must spin the rock to "recoat" the running surface with ice. You knew that rocks run ice on ice and not granite on ice? "Yea, right?"
Wayne Middaugh, world champion, spins his rock before each delivery after cleaning. You want a consistent rock? Clean with nail brush and then spin it to re-coat the running surface with ice/snow. Most pros complain about inconsistent rocks figuring it is the rock's configuration. I have found 20 year old rocks will run consistently IF they are cleaned and re-coated properly.

You are now ready to get situated in the hack and prepare for the delivery.
The above picture demo's the squat and initial aim.