About Curling
Curling is a team sport played by two teams of four players on a rectangular sheet of ice. Its nickname, "the roaring game", originates from the rumbling sound the 44-pound (19.96kg) granite stones make when they travel across the ice.
Broom or Brush - There are two types of broom. The most common is a brush or "push broom". The other is a corn/straw/Canadian broom, which, with long bristles, looks much like a normal broom.
Ice - For indoor tournaments, the artificially created ice has its surface sprinkled with water droplets, which freeze into tiny bumps on the surface. Called "pebbled ice", this surface helps the stone's grip and leads to more consistent curling.
Rink - The rink is 42.07m long and 4.28m wide with a target—or house—at either end.
Shoes - Special curling shoes are common; shoes should grip the ice well. While shooting, extremely slippery surfaces such as Teflon are used on the sliding foot. Some are built into the shoes and others are strapped on over the shoes.
Rock - Also known as a stone, a curling rock is made of rare, dense granite that is quarried on Scotland's Ailsa Craig. Each rock weighs 19.1kg and is polished.
sports
NZ Fast facts
Olympic Games
- No. of athletes
- 5
- No. of games
- 1
- First appearance
- 2006
