What is Curling?

In brief, Curling is a popular ice-sport played all over the world. Unlike skating, shoes are worn and curlers walk on the ice.  It can be played casually or competitively, where whole family from teenagers to grandparents can play.  In Singapore, Curling is still relatively young in terms of awareness.

The sport is played among 2 teams on the ice sheet with a team of 4 people and stones are pushed from one end of the ice rink to the other. The far end of the ice sheet has a target in place in the ice. As the stone travels down the ice sheet, your team ’sweep’ the ice to help your stone go further or nearer to the center of the target. Deciding which shot to play can be quite tactical and great fun. Many times, teams and bonding are built during the game.

Why do people do Curling?

It is a sport where one….

• can play a “lifetime”
• need not exert excessive physical strength
• plays in a cool environment to avoid sweaty bodies
• need not worry of their expertise level in Curling
• could adopt an etiquette on and off the ice sheet
• enjoy camaraderie with each other

Curling brings joy in several ways….

• Thrill of knocking off the opponent stone
• Landing the stone at the most precise position
• Exhilaration of shouts – “Huurrry/ Sweeeppp!!!” to sweep the ice in order for the stone to travel further
• Satisfaction of game played well with skilled opponent
• Forming quick mental strategies, like having a game of “chess on ice”

Related posts:

1. Birth of Curling