Ask a Curling Player

[Mango Elephant]

We need an "Ask a Curling Player" thread. The only thing I know about it is a stone with a handle, sweeps, and ice.

Wish granted.

 

[classical_hero]

Why? Okay a serious question. Is hard to play?

 

[aronnax]

Okay, I get that Curling is a game that can become quite competitive. But convince me why it deserve to be a sport?

FYI, I don't think Golf is a sport.

 

[shadowplay]

Other than the people playing it on TV, I've never known anyone under the age of 60 to curl before. What's the average age at your pad?

 

[Silurian]

Who do you think will win at the olympics in 2014.

 

[Ajidica]

How prevalent is curling in whatever southern state you live in? I was under the impression that its presence in Minnesota (pretty small, except for the north) was considered a 'large' presence for curling in America.

 

[ParkCungHee]

Okay, I get that Curling is a game that can become quite competitive. But convince me why it deserve to be a sport?

FYI, I don't think Golf is a sport.

I was about to fly off the handle there, but then I noticed this is a thread about Curling, not Hurling.

 

[Quackers]

Are you really good at brushing the floor?
Do you ever think: WTH am I doing? This is soo boring! lol

 

[Joecoolyo]

What attracted you to become a curler?

 

[wolfigor]

wow... it's not common to find a curling player anywhere in this planet!
Here in Norway is not that difficoult (even I played a bit for fun with some friends) but outside specific areas is quite rare.

I do have a few questions...

Where do you live?

Do you drink beer while playing? (this is somehow related to my experience)

Do chicks consider it a "hot" sport?

what do you think about the movie Curling King?

 

[pesgores]

Is there a way of wiping the floor with the "mop" without making it look suggestive?

 

[SS-18 ICBM]

Does a knowledge of the stone's physics help? Or is it unnecessary?

 

[say1988]

Why? Okay a serious question. Is hard to play?

Like most sports (and what I think is idea): it isn't hard to play, but is difficult to play well.

But convince me why it deserve to be a sport?

Please provide your definition of "sport"
Based on the Merriam-Webster definition it is a sport as it is a physical activity engaged in [for pleasure] and a diversion. It isn't sexual play, so that one definition is not covered (but i don't think that was your point).
Just try sweeping for 48 rocks and say it isn't physical. Most high level curlers these days are in pretty good physical condition. The only common exception is at skip which is a much more strategic than physical role, and as such is usually older and more experienced and not as fit.

Who do you think will win at the olympics in 2014.

Canada, of course. Every team Canada has sent to the Olympics has medaled, unfortunately two lost golds by chocking on the last rock.

wow... it's not common to find a curling player anywhere in this planet!

Try coming over to Canada.

Does a knowledge of the stone's physics help? Or is it unnecessary?

Knowledge of physics doesn't matter. But it is necessary to know what the rock will do (how far and when it will curl, how far it will go, etc) given various circumstances.

 

[Mango Elephant]

Like most sports (and what I think is idea): it isn't hard to play, but is difficult to play well.

Exactly that. You can learn to curl in an hour or two, but it takes years to know exactly how to shoot your rock so it enters (and stays!) inside the circle things, among other things.

Canada, of course. Every team Canada has sent to the Olympics has medaled, unfortunately two lost golds by chocking on the last rock.

Try coming over to Canada.

Knowledge of physics doesn't matter. But it is necessary to know what the rock will do (how far and when it will curl, how far it will go, etc) given various circumstances.

^ All true.

Does a knowledge of the stone's physics help? Or is it unnecessary?

I guess so. For example, during the first game you have to shoot the rock much harder than usual because the ice hasn't melted much yet, and yet at the last game you don't have to shoot hard at all to get your rock to go where you want it to(of course, all is relative). On professional ice you should know that sweeping also affects how the rock 'curls', though I've never played on professional ice so I wouldn't know those properties.

Is there a way of wiping the floor with the "mop" without making it look suggestive?

haha I don't think so.

wow... it's not common to find a curling player anywhere in this planet!
Here in Norway is not that difficoult (even I played a bit for fun with some friends) but outside specific areas is quite rare.

I do have a few questions...

Where do you live?

Raleigh, North Carolina, USA.

Do you drink beer while playing? (this is somehow related to my experience)

Haha not while playing but afterwards we go somewhere and get drinks. It's a very social sport.

Do chicks consider it a "hot" sport?

I don't know about chicks, but I know it's helped my handjob performance. Sweeping does tire you out if you do it a lot.

what do you think about the movie Curling King?

haha Nothing at all.

What attracted you to become a curler?

The Olympics a couple years ago.

Are you really good at brushing the floor?

Pretty good, I guess. I have a good technique, but my broom isn't very good.

Do you ever think: WTH am I doing? This is soo boring! lol

Of course not, because it's not just moving a broom while you sweep. You have to listen to what your team is calling to you, and you have to glance up so you can judge if you should still sweep or not. It sounds simple, but it keeps your mind occupied and it's certainly not boring.

I was about to fly off the handle there, but then I noticed this is a thread about Curling, not Hurling.

Haha.

How prevalent is curling in whatever southern state you live in? I was under the impression that its presence in Minnesota (pretty small, except for the north) was considered a 'large' presence for curling in America.

I live in North Carolina, and it's not very prevalent here. Mostly Yankees and Canadians play it.

Who do you think will win at the olympics in 2014.

America, duh! (probably Canada, actually)

Other than the people playing it on TV, I've never known anyone under the age of 60 to curl before. What's the average age at your pad?

I'm the only teenager there, but there are quite a few players in their 20s, so I guess the average age is about 30? There are a lot of old people.

Okay, I get that Curling is a game that can become quite competitive. But convince me why it deserve to be a sport?

FYI, I don't think Golf is a sport.

First tell my why you don't think Golf is a sport. =)

 

[_random_]

Are you part of some sort of league?

 

[classical_hero]

Like most sports (and what I think is idea): it isn't hard to play, but is difficult to play well.

Exactly that. You can learn to curl in an hour or two, but it takes years to know exactly how to shoot your rock so it enters (and stays!) inside the circle things, among other things.

I played tennis and I know that some sports take some dedication just to be decent at it. So not all sports are easy to pick up straight away, but I digress.

What thing do you find easiest to do in curling? Is it a good pick up line to say you are a curling player, considering most people do not play the game, thus it is a topic you can talk about and get a conversation going?

 

[JollyRoger]

I am thinking of replacing my maid. Would a curler be a good option?

 

[Mango Elephant]

Are you part of some sort of league?

Yes. Here's my club's website.

I am thinking of replacing my maid. Would a curler be a good option?

Maybe.

 

[say1988]

I live in North Carolina, and it's not very prevalent here. Mostly Yankees and Canadians play it.

I love watching curling on American TV. The announcers are so freaking hilarious, usually they don't know anything.

Of course not, because it's not just moving a broom while you sweep. You have to listen to what your team is calling to you, and you have to glance up so you can judge if you should still sweep or not. It sounds simple, but it keeps your mind occupied and it's certainly not boring.

Not to mention (at least at higher levels) sweepers are usually required to judge and call the weight.
I only played for a couple years about a decade ago and was horrible at sweeping and I could not move on the ice well with a slider (could through fairly well, though). Still watch it regularly, with the Brier (the second best, after the World's, mens tournament of the year) on right now and pulling for Howard to beat Koe in the final.

 

[Mango Elephant]

Not to mention (at least at higher levels) sweepers are usually required to judge and call the weight.

Yeah, that's what I meant by judging whether you should sweep or not. We don't usually call out what we think the weight is, but we definitely act according to what we think it is. Oftentimes sweeping from the first moment makes the difference between whether a rock will be in play or not, so knowing that first moment to sweep is oftentimes important.

I only played for a couple years about a decade ago and was horrible at sweeping and I could not move on the ice well with a slider (could through fairly well, though).

How often did you play? Sweeping is tiring, but I wouldn't say it's hard to do. Maybe you were on the wrong side? Sometimes that affects your effectiveness. I'm confused when you say you couldn't move on the ice well with a slider, but you could throw well. Isn't the only time you're on the ice with a slider when you're throwing? So shouldn't the two be dependent on each other?