Instruction

Curling School

Curling School is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to curl, or is relatively new to curling and would like to improve his or her curling skills. The school is open to paid students and adult club members, and consists of a core curriculum of basic skills, and additional elective curriculum of more advanced skills. Each week, you will receive personal instruction in the classroom and/or on-ice from experienced instructors. Curling school is designed to help the new curler become more proficient and more competitive, but above all, to make curling more fun!

Core curriculum

The first 3 weeks of Curling School are primarily aimed at first-year curlers. In these sessions, participants will learn the basics of the curling delivery, rules and etiquette of the game, and techniques of effective sweeping. New curlers are encouraged to attend all of these sessions.

Elective curriculum

The last 4 weeks of Curling School focus on more advanced aspects of curling, including strategy of the game and some more advanced techniques that will enhance your enjoyment and proficiency. The elective curriculum is appropriate for curlers with 0-5 years of experience. We ask that curlers RSVP for these sessions by contacting the instructors.

Syllabus and schedule

Lead Instructors: Roger Rowlett (USCA Certified Level II Instructor), Mary Jane Walsh (USCA Certified Level II Instructor)

Meeting time: Sundays, October 27-December 15, 4:15-5:15 PM

What to bring: Wear warm, loose-fitting clothes. Bring a pair of athletic shoes (sneakers or tennis shoes) with clean soles or a pair of curling shoes (see below). Brushes will be provided, or can be purchased. A limited number of grippers and sliders can be provided by the club.

What to purchase: It is highly recommended that each student purchase two grippers and either a slip-on slider or a gripper-slider. Club members are encouraged to purchase a pair of curling shoes as soon as possible. It is easier to learn to curl with a slider or curling shoes. (Consult with an instructor before purchasing shoes.) For the session on interval timing and for club competition, you may want to consider purchasing an inexpensive stopwatch.

Eligibility & Fees: Curling School is open to adult and college members of the Utica Curling Club at no charge. Adult non-members may register for $100.

Signup: Contact Roger Rowlett to register. Participants will be registered on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Resources:

• Syllabus (PDF file)
• The Curling Delivery (PDF file)
• Basic Rules, Strategy, and Etiquette (PDF file)
• Team Communication (PDF file)
• Delivery videos: Demonstrations of the no-lift, flat-foot delivery by Utica Curling Club instructors Roger Rowlett (front side) and Mary Jane Walsh (front side). Videos are WMV format, and should be playable in Windows Media Player from your web browser.

Instructors Corner

A collection of curling instruction articles first appearing in the Utica Curling Club Curlogram.

1. Curling Equipment
2. Foot Behind the Rock!
3. Drag Effect
4. Takeouts
5. Generating Weight
6. Leads
7. Sweeping
8. Grip and Release
9. Safety on the Ice
10. Angles
11. Practice
12. Timing
13. Why Rocks Curl
14. Rock Placement

If you have a question, or an idea for an article, contact Instructors Corner