Curling at the Waterfront

Inverclyde Leisure provide Learn to Curl blocks for all ages and abilities and our structured Learn to Curl programme offers a more immersive step into the world of curling. Our curling season begins in September and ends in March. During this time, the is no public ice skating available until Friday evening and the weekends.

For details regarding curling lessons and costs, please contact [email protected]

Etiquette

Curling is a game of skill and traditions that upholds the highest standards of sportsmanship. A shot well played is a delight to see as is a game played in the true spirit of curling.

Curlers play to win but never to humble their opponents. Curling has always relied on the common sense, honesty and the good manners of the players and a sporting approach to the game.
While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of curling demands good sportsmanship and honourable conduct.

The Ice

Curling is played on a ‘sheet’ of ice approximately 45 metres long by 5 metres wide with a target, the ‘house’, marked at each end. The house consists of three rings which are generally coloured red, white and blue and act as a visual aid for aiming and judging which stone is closer to the centre. The smallest circle in the house is called the button.

Blocks or ‘Hacks’ are fixed at each end of the sheet to give the person delivering the stone something to push against.

The two lines between the houses are called the hog lines. The players must release the stone before they reach the first hog line and the stone must cross the far hog line to be in play. The line behind the house is called the back line. Once a stone fully crosses this line it is out of play.

The line in the middle of the rink is called the centre line and is used by the players to line up their shots.

Curious about trying curling?

Why not join in on our Try Curling and Beginner Lessons sessions at the ice rink? Delivered by Scottish Curling, they provide a great taster for the sport with an introduction to the basics and information on how the game is played.

What to expect:

• Warm-up
• Moving around; getting comfortable and confident on the ice
• Introduction to curling delivery and opportunity to practice
• Introduction to sweeping and opportunity to practice
• Full length curling delivery; how far can you send the stone?
• Cool-down

To book a session, visit our website.