Etiquette + Safety

ETIQUETTE + SAFETY

SAFETY AND RECOVERY

Dress appropriately - the ice temperature is approximately 5 degrees C / 40 degrees F. It is best to dress in layers.
It is recommended to wear headgear - helmets or specialized curling hats/headbands, but it is not a requirement for adults.
Don’t step on the ice with a slider on - step with your gripper foot first or you'll quickly lose your balance!
When you feel yourself slipping on the ice, do the following to avoid injury as best possible:
- lift your head forward
- bend your knees quickly
- lower your behind as low to the ice as possible
If you find yourself down on the ice, get up quickly so your hands and knees don’t melt into the ice.
If someone has fallen, stop play immediately and ensure they are OK - help them off the ice.

KEEP THE ICE CLEAN

Sand, grit and dirt are the ice’s worst enemy and can make rocks behave erratically.
The shoes you wear should only be used for curling and should be cleaned before and after each game.
Be sure to not wear fabric that might shed and leave particles on the ice surface. It's not much fun cleaning this up all game!
Don’t lift the rocks off the ice when playing. The rocks are heavy and can easily damage the ice surface if lifted.
A warm slider can wear down the pebble in the house. Cool your slider down by sliding back and forth behind the hack.

HANDSHAKES AND ETIQUETTE

Arrive 15 minutes before start time to allow for handshakes and practice slides. The first rock should be thrown at the start time!
Start with a handshake. At the beginning of the game, greet the members of the opposing team with a handshake or a tap of the broom, tell them your name, and wish them “Good Curling”.
Compliment good shots, no matter which team makes them. Respect your opponent.
Be courteous. Don’t distract your opponent in the hack. Sweepers should stay on the sidelines between the hog lines when not sweeping.
Leads and seconds are not permitted in the house, except when sweeping or when removing the stones after the count has been determined by the mates. It can get crowded and hard to figure out the scoring rocks.
Finish with a handshake. When the game is over, offer each of the players a hearty handshake and move off the ice. The winning curlers traditionally offer their counterparts some refreshments.

ROCK AWARENESS

Be aware of who is throwing and when, and the location of all rocks at all times, especially moving ones. Alert adjacent sheets if a rock spills in their direction.
Ensure the hacks are protected at all times, especially when rocks are being thrown. You can easily stop a moving rock with your broom, but do not attempt to stop a moving rock with your feet.

KEEP THE GAME MOVING

A typical curling game is 8 ends. A full game can only be played within 2 hours if everybody keeps the game moving.
Be ready. Take your position in the hack as soon as your opponent has delivered his/her stone.
Be prepared to sweep as soon as your teammate releases the rock. If you're unsteady on your feet, don't rush to catch up!
After delivering your stone, move to the side of the sheet between the hog lines, unless you are the skip. It's easy to get in the way!
If you are lead, place your skip’s rock in front of the hack while they are on their way down. It speeds up their shots.
If your game is an end or two behind all other games you should pick up the pace. Each player should be ready to deliver their rock when their skip puts down the broom.