How popular is curling in Britain?
When Rhona Martin's team won gold for GB in Salt Lake City at the 2002 Winter Olympics, some 8 million Britons sat up past midnight to watch their triumph. In the UK, curling is mainly played in Scotland, where there are tens of thousands of curlers of all ages and skill levels.
Health benefits of curling
Sweeping the ice in curling provides a surprisingly good aerobic workout. Flexibility is needed for the sliding delivery used by the elite players, but isn't necessary at recreational level. In fact, many older players use cue sticks to launch their stones.
What's the aim of the game?
The game is played on ice and the aim is to launch a stone and get it to stop as close as possible to the centre of a target zone.
The players use brushes to sweep the surface of the ice to alter the speed at which the stone travels and the direction in which it moves. Each of the four players on a team delivers two stones.
While the Olympic teams are full-time athletes and carry out exacting training programmes on and off the ice, club curlers can take the sport as seriously as they want to.
Training tips for curling
A good level of general fitness is an advantage in curling as each game lasts approximately two hours. Many elite curlers have specific training to develop their strength for certain aspects of their game, such as the delivery of the stone and the sweeping.
Advice on getting started in curling
Try Curling is a scheme that allows people of all ages and abilities who have never curled before to try it free of charge. Qualified coaches from the Royal Caledonian Curling Club (RCCC) will welcome you, teach you the basics of the game and give you the opportunity to deliver curling stones full length and compare yourself to the likes of champion curlers Eve Muirhead and David Murdoch.
What equipment do I need?
If you're just starting, all you need is a pair of clean, flat, rubber-soled shoes (trainers are ideal) and loose-fitting, warm clothing. Stones, brushes and all other equipment are generally supplied by the ice rink.
Advice on getting into competitive curling
Most local rinks can help you if you’d like to continue curling either competitively or recreationally. Many Scottish ice rinks have curling development officers, funded by the RCCC, who assist newcomers and help people develop their performance.
