Casual Curling
Got family, friends or work colleagues coming to visit for a few days? Why not show them the quintessential Central Otago experience and bring them down to the indoor curling rink and give curling a go.
Getting Started
Curling is played between two teams of three or four players (two in the case of mixed doubles) so grab your friends, family, workmates or classmates and come along and have a go.
When you arrive, you will be shown short “introduction to curling” and “how to play” videos and you will be given a quick tutorial covering all the basics to get you started.
Getting Started
Curling is played between two teams of three or four players (two in the case of mixed doubles) so grab your friends, family, workmates or classmates and come along and have a go.
When you arrive, you will be shown short “introduction to curling” and “how to play” videos and you will be given a quick tutorial covering all the basics to get you started.
Curling for kids
Be mindful that the curling stones are over 20kg’s and they need to slide up to 40m to the target, house, at the opposite end of the rink so children under 10 may have difficulty getting the stones all the way to the house. However there are other parts of the game where they can still have fun and participate.
Curling for kids
Be mindful that the curling stones are over 20kg’s and they need to slide up to 40m to the target, house, at the opposite end of the rink so children under 10 may have difficulty getting the stones all the way to the house. However there are other parts of the game where they can still have fun and participate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Curling is one of the oldest team sports played on ice. The game dates back to medieval Scotland where competitors slid common stones of various sizes across frozen lochs. Today the stones are standardised, composed of 20kg of granite with plastic handles bolted into the rocks. Curling gets its name from the spin placed on the stone once it is released. It has seen a rise in popularity since becoming a medal sport in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
Not at all. Curling is played in rubber-soled shoes. Clean trainers with a decent tread are suitable for curling. Please bring a clean pair to change into.
We suggest you wear comfortable clothing that allows for ease of movement and keeps you warm. The curling rink can be quite cold, so it's best to dress in layers. This allows you to adjust your clothing based on your comfort level as you become warmer from the physical activity.
- Wear a warm sweater or a jacket to keep your upper body insulated. Fleece or thermal materials are excellent choices
- Opt for stretchy pants, such as yoga pants or athletic leggings, which allow for easy movement on the ice
- Thin gloves or fingerless gloves can help keep your hands warm while still providing dexterity to handle the curling broom and stones
- A hat or beanie can help keep your head warm during the game
AVOID
- Hoodies or excessively baggy clothing, as they might interfere with your movements or get in the way of the game
- It's a good idea to remove any large jewellery or accessories that could snag on the ice or equipment
Please wear clean indoor flat soled shoes such as sports shoes. Boots, gumboots, sandals/jandals or a raised heel are not appropriate.
We will provide you with a pair of grippers that fit over your shoes and provide good traction on the ice so that you can walk safely.
Yes. Although it is a sport, curling is a game of strategy. You need to be able to push a 20kg stone across the ice. Sweeping is probably the most strenuous, but if you are able to sweep your house, you’re good to go. Ages can vary from children to seniors.
Yelling is one aspect of the sport that kids love. No indoor voices required! If the rock is coming too fast, the person behind the target can tell the sweepers to “Sweeep!” or “Hurry harrddddd!” or, if the rock is coming in too quickly, to “Wooaaaaahhhh!”.
Curling ice is not the same as hockey or skating ice. Typical arena ice is perfectly flat, but curling ice has tiny little bumps on it. Before the game, the ice is prepped with a fine spray of warm water (known as pebbling the ice), which melts and creates tiny bumps known as the pebble. The pebble has better grip than your common skating ice. This pebble also allows curling rocks to travel across the ice. A curling rock move across skating ice in a different way.
Bucket List …. Curling ….
