Important Facts About Curling

Curling is one of the most polite sports, and it is played with the heaviest equipment.

The pastime of curling began in Scotland in the 16^th century. It was played on frozen ponds, and the players used whatever stones they had available, and for brooms, they used what they had.

How Much Does A Curling Stone Weigh

The standard curling stone weight is 44.1 pounds or 20 kg.

Stone Sizes

The circumference of each curling stone is 36 inches.

The height of the stones is 4.5 inches.

The stones are not made from just any granite. The materials used to craft these stones come from one of only two quarries.

One is on the Scottish island of Ailsa Craig, and the other is the Trefor Granite Quarry in Wales. The stones produced by the granite from Wales are exclusive to the Canada Curling Stone Company.

This is why the cost of curling stones is so high. A typical stone will cost you close to $500 or more dollars.

Stone Features

After the granite is shaped and polished in each curling stone, a handle is inserted.

The handle is situated in the middle of the stone, and it helps the player rotate it or lift it when they need to.

The friction of the stone on the ice is minimized by the Running Band that makes contact with the surface.

There is a grey-colored band around the most significant portion of the stone designed to absorb the shock of being struck. This is the striking band.

Shoes

To participate in curling, each player has to have two types of shoes.

They need a shoe with a Teflon sole and a slider.

The other shoe is the gripper which gives them better traction.

The Spirit of Curling

In curling, good sportsmanship is a must.

Players are not allowed to taunt the other players, and they typically congratulate opponents on their strategy and excellent shots.

If a team is behind in points and does not see any way to make up the difference, it is acceptable for them to concede the win to the opposing team.

Conceding is seen as an honorable way to end the game.

After games, most winning teams will offer to take the losing team out for a drink.

Did you know?

The ice that curling is played on must be kept at 5 degrees Celsius or 23 degrees Fahrenheit.

The temperature of the curling stone running band needs to be the same as the ice it is being played on.

The longest curling match was played in Ontario and lasted 105 hours and 6 minutes?

There are four players and two sweepers on each curling team?

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Do Curling Stones Cost?

The stones can individually cost between $500 and $750. A set of 16 stones will cost between $8000 and $12,000.

Do All Curling Stones Weigh The Same?

There are slight differences in the weight of the curling rocks. They usually weigh between 40 and 44 pounds.

How Much Does A Curling Stone Weigh in The Olympics?

The standardized weight for an Olympic curling stone is 44.1 pounds or 20 kg.

What is The Curling Stone Made of?

A curling stone is made from granite. The granite is very dense and highly polished.