Curling is "Chess on Ice"

Stones in the house

The Rochester Curling Club held a free hands-on curling demonstration at the Fairport Junction ice rink in the Village of Fairport over the weekend.  I’ll admit, I’ve been intrigued by the sport…often referred to “chess on ice”…after watching it on the Olympics three years ago.  “Just how hard can it be?

I remember watching players sliding the stone down the ice, their teammates furiously sweeping the ice with brooms in front of the gliding stone, until the stone came to rest in a colored circle, closer to the center than the opponent’s stones.  Little did I know that what I was really was watching was a dramatic bonspiel with the lead delivering a 42 lb. stone on keen ice to the house, chipping the guards, not wanting to be a biter, but using the skip’s broom to land the shot rock on the button.  Whew…. 

A young fan concentrating on his delivery

The Rochester Curling Club started at RIT in 1961, eventually moving to its own facility in 1966 at 71 Deep Rock Road, Rochester. NY.  Members range in age from 5 to 85, and include members of the US National Team.  Much like golf, it’s easy to learn, but is difficult to master.  Having played golf, I can attest to that.

Each curling stone weighs 42 lbs., and the handle is used to give the stone a rotation as it is delivered down the ice, "curling" it into position

The Greatful Dead have 'deadheads", the Green Bay Packers have "cheese heads"...are curling fans called "stoneheads"?

A hogged rock that didn't make it to the house

The outdoor ice rink at the Fairport Junction parking lot in the Village of Fairport.