What is Curling?

Curling is a game in which two teams of four players each slide a round stone by means of a gooseneck handle on the top over a stretch of ice toward a target circle. The object is to deliver the stone closest to the centre (called the house). Each player delivers two stones, which average 40 lbs apiece, often applying a curl to the stone's trajectory. The player's teammates use a broom to sweep the ice ahead of the oncoming stone in order to facilitate a longer slide or to adjust the arc of the curl. Blocking and knocking out an opponent's stones are important strategies of the sport.

Curling originated in Scotland in the early 16th century. World championships have been held since 1959 and are usually dominated by Canadians and Scandinavians. In 1998 curling became a medal sport in the Winter Olympic Games.

Nederland Curling Club

1. Teams
 
We will shoot for a total of 6 teams of 4 to play in the curling league. You can sign up for the league at any time after you receive this e-mail with a deadline to respond of November 15, 2009 at high noon. The sign-up will be on a first come, first served basis. So, please respond as soon as you can if you want to play on a team. If we get the total number of players needed before the deadline, then we will start an alternate list of players that can be utlized by teams that might need to get an additional player on their team for their scheduled game. Each team should will be able to play 16 games for the season in addition to possibly taking part in the season ending, second annual Nederland Bonspiel and playing for the prestigious Nederland, Bancroft and Caribou Cups.
 
Also, once we have enough people signed up, we can get the additional 4 person teams squared away so that everyone will know what team they will be a part of.
 
2. Team requirements
 
The Nederland curling league teams will be required to obtain a season pass to the Nederland ice rink. This pass is $100 for the entire season and also includes all the other hockey, figure skating, open rec, etc... that can be done over there at the rink throughout the season. This is actually a good deal due to the fact that drop in curling will be $9 and with league teams playing 16 games, you end up saving $24 over the course of the season, plus you can get out and ice skate, play hockey, etc..... 
 
If you want to be part of the Nederland Curling Club League play, there will be an additional $20 league fee for the entire season. This fee will go towards the purchase of the curling stones, brooms, etc... Hopefully, in the course of the next few years, we can raise enough funds to have all the equipment costs covered.  Curling stones are not inexpensive.
 
The sliders will be the responsibility of the individual team members. (Sliders are something that goes on one of your shoes to help you slide on the ice when throwing a curling stone.)  We used those funky blue slip-on booties with duct, or packing tape on the bottom. Those worked okay, but needed to be replaced almost every night. So, if folks can have their own, that would make things a lot easier.  We do have a number of those blue booties left over, so if team members need something to get started, we will at least have those we can hand out until they are all gone.
 
3. Volunteering at the rink
 
"R.I.N.K. (Racquets & Ice for Nederland Kids) will gladly accept volunteers at the rink to help out with the set up of the facility in November (every Sunday at 2pm) and working as a rink attendant during the season. In return, you will receive a season pass for your efforts. (17 hours for a family pass & 12 hours for an individual ice season pass). Go to ...wwwNedRink.com ... click on "contact us" on the left and you will receive emails calling for volunteers"
 
4. League teams and points
 
Once teams begin play for the season, there will be points assigned to the games. There will be 2 points assigned to a win, 1 point assigned to a loss and 0 points assigned to a forfeit or no show. Teams will be required to have at least 2 players at the rink at the designated time that their team's game is to start. If 2 players are not present prior to the time in which they are to throw their first stone, then they will forfeit the game. The top 4 teams with the most points at the end of the season will play in the Nederland Bonspiel.
 
5. League Season
 
The season will be from January 2, 2010 through February 27, 2010 with the Nederland Bonspiel being held on February 28, 2010. The beginning date is pretty solid, but the ending dates may be moved around a bit due to weather, so we will need to be somewhat flexible as the season winds down.
 
The actual days of the week that we will have league games has yet to be determined, but will be twice a week except for maybe two weeks where your team will only play one game.
 
Which days each team plays will be determined once we have the final number of teams confirmed and the final schedule put together.

 
6. Learn to curl, and Drop-In
 
We will have "Learn to Curl" and "Drop-In" (aka "Open Curling") sessions from the time the rink opens, through the end of December.  We anticipate the rink will open something in early- to mid-December.  It's dependent upon weather, of course.
 
We will have regularly scheduled drop-in curling sessions on Saturday afternoons at 11:15am - 2:00pm.
 
The drop in fees will be $6 with an additional $3 for equipment rental for a total of $9.