How Curling Ice is Made

Curling is a wonderful winter sport. Rocks are hurled toward a target across the ice. The team that lands the most stones on the target gets the points. The sport of curling began long before ice rinks were invented. In nature, frozen ponds and lakes are not smooth. Wind and debris create bumps on the ice. The rocks then curve, or curl as they are rolling toward the target. This surface is replicated in ice rinks for the sport of curling today.

Curling began in the 16^th century, in Scotland. It was known as a poor man's sport, and came about as a result of long winters, with little to do. People would hurl boulders down to the other end of a frozen lake, marsh, or pond. Over time, rules were made, and targets developed. It quickly became the sport of choice for outdoor recreation.

"Between the 16th and 20th centuries, Scotland's climate warmed, and today the lochs rarely freeze." (www.norfolkcurlingclub.org) Indoor rinks became popular to preserve the sport. Today curling is still played as a poor man's sport in winter time. However, it has also become a very prestigious event in curling arenas designed for this purpose.

Ice Foundation

The foundation under the ice for curling is either made of sand or concrete. Pipes run the length of the foundation. They help with the refrigeration process of the ice.

• Sand foundation: Curling foundations made from sand are not as stable as ice foundations. As the temperature of the ice fluctuates, the sand settles, creating an uneven surface. Maintenance can be difficult, since the pipes can become exposed when the sand moves with the ice.

• Concrete foundation: Curling foundations made from concrete are more expensive than sand. The surface is level, allowing for even cooling across the ice. Refrigeration temperatures are more consistent.

Ice Measurements

A sheet of ice covers the foundation of the curling rink. Regulations specify that the ice should be 138 feet long by about 14 feet wide. Depending on the type of foundation used, curling ice should be a ½ inch to ¾ inch thick. Thin layers of ice are fine for cement foundations. Sand foundations need the extra thickness due to their inconsistent temperatures.

Preparing the ice sheet takes time. The foundation is flooded, allowed to freeze, and flooded again. Each time, the layers become a little thicker. During this process, the target, also called the house, and boundaries are added and sealed into place. They are carefully painted under the ice for the duration of the curling season. Sometimes, ribbon is used to mark the boundaries, instead of paint.

Floor Design

The floor design has several features. At each end of the lane, a kick off brick called a hack is frozen in place. The target, known as the house, is a large series of circles in front of the hack. There are 3 circles, each 2 feet in diameter around each other. These circles form rings around the button, or tee, which is in the middle of them.

A horizontal line is painted across the lane, 21 feet in from each end. This is known as the hog line, and players cannot cross it when throwing their stones. The main part of the lane is the sweeping area. It is 72 feet long, running between each hog line.

Players start at one end of the lane. They curl their stones in turn. All of the rocks finish at the other end of the lane. When scoring for the round is complete, teams hurl their stones to the other end of the lane. Each round is called an end, and they take around 15 minutes to play.

Pebbling the Ice

The ice in a curling rink is not smooth. Pebbles, or little ice pellets, are frozen into the surface after the layering and floor design have been completed. The pebbles are an important part of the sport. They make it easier for the stone to move across the ice. They also get swept away by the sweepers. Sweepers smooth out the ice, directing the stone to the target. As they do, the pebbles melt. Friction is limited when this happens, and the rocks glide across the floor.

Maintenance of curling rinks is important. If too much pebbling builds up, scrapers are employed to clear the ice. Players are expected to keep their shoes and brooms clean. Every effort is made to keep dirt and debris from transferring to the floor. Limited contact with the ice is expected. Teams do not walk on the ice unless it is necessary during play.

Team players respect the efforts taken to create their playing field. Those who make and perform upkeep on curling ice, do so with great artistry and care. With the spirit of good sportsmanship in mind, ice makers scrape and curl the patterns required for a game of strategy and fun.