Cumberland Curling Club – Frequently Asked Questions

Welcome! Whether you are a lifelong curler or looking to step onto our ice for the very first time, we have compiled the answers to the most common questions about the sport and our club.

🥌 How to Play & Game Structure

How does the game work?

Curling is a game of strategy, precision, and teamwork played between two teams of four players. Teams alternate sliding 40-pound polished granite stones down a 150-foot sheet of ice toward a 12-foot circular target called the "house."

Each player delivers two stones per "end" (similar to an inning in baseball) while their teammates use specialized brooms to sweep the ice ahead of the moving stone. Sweeping momentarily melts the ice texture, allowing the stone to slide farther and travel in a straighter line. Once all 16 stones have been thrown, the end is complete.

How do you score points?

Scoring happens at the conclusion of each end. Only one team can score per end. The team with the stone closest to the absolute center of the target (the "button"). That team receives 1 point for every stone that is closer to the center than the opponent's best stone.

⏱️ Game Duration & Pace of Play

How long does a match last?

At the Cumberland Curling Club, regular league matches have a strict time limit of 1 hour and 50 minutes to keep our schedule running smoothly.

How many ends will we play?

Within our 1 hour and 50 minute timeframe, teams can typically manage to play 6 to 8 ends, heavily depending on their speed of play. Because of this time limit, maintaining a good pace is highly valued in club play. To keep the game moving, the next thrower should be in the starting blocks (the "hack") cleaning their stone and preparing their delivery the moment the previous rock comes to a complete stop.

💰 Costs & Equipment

Is curling an expensive sport?

Curling is highly affordable compared to hockey or skiing. A base membership at Cumberland Curling Club is $400 per year. For 2026-2027, each league will cost $140. This means that you will pay $540 for to play approximately 20 games in one league or $680 to play approximately 40 games in two leagues. 

Do I need to buy equipment to start?

To ensure your safety, stability, and enjoyment on the ice, we highly prefer and recommend that our members own a proper pair of curling shoes. Regular athletic running shoes require external, slip-on rubber attachments (grippers and sliders) which are significantly less stable than a dedicated curling shoe with a built-in sliding sole. While the club does keep extra slip-on grippers and sliders on hand, these are primarily reserved for private event rentals or for members who occasionally forget their gear.

The club completely provides all necessary brooms, sliding crutches, and delivery sticks on-site for anyone to use. A limited number of helmets are also available.

Where can I buy curling gear locally?

For expert local assistance and to find a properly fitted pair of shoes, we highly recommend our neighbors at the Navan Pro Shop. You can check their hours and selection on the Navan Curling Pro Shop Page. Alternatively, you can find used equipment through Kijiji, Facebook Marketplace, and other peer-to-peer retail sites.

What should I wear?

Because our ice shed is kept cool, we recommend dressing in warm, flexible layers (like a fleece or sweater over a t-shirt) so you can adjust as you warm up from sweeping. Bring thin gloves or mitts and a clean tuque. We recommend wearing stretchy athletic pants, track pants, or yoga pants. Do not wear jeans. Jeans restrict your movement and prevent you from safely crouching or lunging. Please avoid anything that pills or sheds easily, as even tiny debris on the ice can impact play.

🛑 Ice Safety & Cleanliness

What safety precautions should I take on the ice?

Because curling is played on ice, minimizing the risk of slips and falls is our top priority. We always provide safety orientations for new players. To stay secure on the ice, we recommend:

• Proper Footwear: Always step onto the ice with your stable "gripper" shoe first, never your slippery slider shoe.

• Protective Gear: While not mandatory for adults, you may absolutely opt to wear a helmet or specialized head padding on the ice for extra peace of mind. The club has a very limited number of adult helmets available to borrow on a first-come, first-served basis.

• Smart Play: Never use your hands or feet to stop a moving, 40-pound curling stone—always use your broom!

What are the club health and sanitation guidelines?

To keep our membership healthy and our ice facility in peak condition, we ask all curlers to follow two simple rules:

• Stay Home When Sick: If you are feeling unwell, running a fever, or experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness, please do not come to the club. Reach out to your league coordinator or team skip as early as possible so they can find a player from our active spares list.

• Wipe Down the Equipment: At the conclusion of each match, please use the provided sanitizing wipes to wipe down all of your team's rock handles before putting them away. This keeps the gear clean and ready for the next draw!

How can I help keep the ice clean?

Our ice is highly sensitive, and maintaining its quality is a team effort! You can help protect the playing surface by following these guidelines:

• Keep Your Shoes Clean: You must remove all outdoor footwear as soon as you enter the club. Many players bring a pair of clean indoor slippers or casual shoes to wear in the lounge after their game.

• Beware of the Parking Lot: Take extra note that we use sand instead of salt in our parking lot. Salt is the absolute enemy of curling ice!

• Watch Your Wardrobe: Avoid wearing fleece, fuzzy sweaters, or any clothing that sheds lint, fibers, or pills. These tiny bits of fabric fall onto the ice and can completely alter the path of a moving stone.

• Protect the Pebble: Never kneel, sit, or place your bare hands flat on the ice. Your body heat will melt the texture (the "pebble"), creating flat spots that ruin how the stones slide. 

🎓 Programs & Joining the Club

Does the club offer training for absolute beginners?

Yes! We offer a fantastic full-season Adult Learn-to-Curl (LTC) Program on Monday nights (6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.). It is split into two halves:

1. Session 1 (Fall): You will experience a structured 8-week lesson plan following the Curling Canada curriculum, covering everything from rock delivery and sweeping fundamentals to strategy.

2. Session 2 (Winter): You will transition to an instructional league exclusively for LTC participants, playing full games alongside on-ice coaches.

For more information, visit our Learn to Curl page.

Do you have a youth curling program?

Yes! We run Little Rocks (ages 7–12) from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. and Junior Rocks (ages 13–17) from 10:45 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Saturdays. The program is led by dedicated volunteer coaches who teach fundamental skills, strategy, and teamwork. Parents take turns providing off-ice treats for the youth.

• The Season: For 2026-2027, the season will run from October 24 to March 6, with a holiday break. Registration is strictly capped at 16 players per age group.

• The Perks: Includes fun skill drills, opportunities to join youth tournaments (bonspiels) across Ottawa, a holiday potluck, and a year-end potluck!

• Equipment Requirements: Participants must have a CSA-approved helmet (hockey, ski, snowboard, etc.) and proper curling shoes. If someone is just trying the sport out, they must bring a clean, reserved pair of indoor sneakers to use with a club-borrowed gripper and slider setup. Brooms are fully provided on-site.

• Note: Compliance with Ontario's parental concussion code of conduct (Rowan's Law) is required.

For more information, visit our Youth Curling page.

♿ Accessibility, Facilities & Culture

I have trouble bending my knees or hips. Can I still play?

Yes! Curling is a highly adaptive sport. If a traditional crouching delivery is difficult or painful, you can use a delivery stick. This allows you to smoothly push and release the stone from a comfortable, standing position. We have sticks available at the club, and many members use them to keep playing for a lifetime! 

Does the Club have an AED (automated external defibrillator)?

Yes! The Cumberland Curling Club invites you to view a video on how to use the AED that is available at the Club. The Club has ADULT PADS ONLY.

Taking the time to familiarize yourselves with the AED and how it works could potentially save another member's life. 

Type: Zoll AED Plus

• Visit the Zoll page for more information: https://www.zoll.com/medical-products/automated-external-defibrillators/aed-plus/video
• Or, see their video here:

What is "Broomstacking"?

Broomstacking is the oldest and finest tradition in curling! After a game, both teams "stack their brooms" and sit down together in our upstairs lounge for a drink and a chat. Standard curling etiquette dictates that the winning team buys the losing team the first round of drinks, and the losing team buys the second. It is a highly social sport, and the lounge is where some of the best memories are made. Our canteen offers a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, along with some yummy snacks. Cash, debit and credit are all accepted.

Can I rent the ice and lounge for private events?

Yes! We offer combined ice and lounge rentals perfect for corporate events, birthday parties, or private functions. Spots are limited and primarily available on Saturdays. Our current block rates are:

• Early Block (12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.): $400 flat rate (Club members receive a $50 discount). 

• Late Block (4:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.): $700 flat rate (Club members receive a $150 discount). Extra hours can be added for $125/hour up to a maximum midnight cutoff.

For more information, visit our Rental page.