Why do they sweep the ice in curling?

[T_R_Oglodyte]

Why do they sweep the ice in curling?

www.nytimes.com

 

[moonstone]

Years (decades!) ago when I curled the brooms were like small corn brooms, not like the current style at all. You had to sweep much harder and faster to create heat to get a more slippery surface. I really enjoyed the game but when our kids were born there just wasn't the spare time for curling. The town near us (home of Glen Howard, a 4 time world champion and 17 time Ontario championships, including 8 years in a row) has a seniors curling league with a style of play that uses a stick to push the rocks so players can remain standing to play which is much easier on the knees/hips. Since we winter in the warm south I have not joined but friends say it is so much easier and a lot of fun.

~Diane

 

[jeffox]

OCD about cleanliness?

 

[Brett]

I still don't understand the scoring in curling.
If curling is an Olympic sport then why isn't cornhole an Olympic sport?

 

[BingoBangoBongo]

I still don't understand the scoring in curling.
If curling is an Olympic sport then why isn't cornhole an Olympic sport?

I thought the announcers yesterday did a pretty poor job of communicating to new curling viewers. A few weeks ago I watched the speed skating trials and the announcers did a great job in that area. Here’s a link that gives a good explanation of curling.

https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-cortina-2026/news/hammer-work-curling-teams-mixed-doubles

 

[TheHolleys87]

Years (decades!) ago when I curled the brooms were like small corn brooms, not like the current style at all. You had to sweep much harder and faster to create heat to get a more slippery surface.

LOL, like the Beatles did in their movie Help?

 

[T-Dot-Traveller]

I still don't understand the scoring in curling.
If curling is an Olympic sport then why isn't cornhole an Olympic sport?

In Club Curling you get a beer after you finish playing . I think in Cornhole you have the beer while playing.

 

[moonstone]

In Club Curling you get a beer after you finish playing

And the winning team buys the loosing team a drink -at least that was the norm when I played in regular games and bonspiels.

~Diane

 

[moonstone]

I still don't understand the scoring in curling.

This should help; https://www.curlingbasics.com/en/scoring.html
The 'house' is within the set of circles, ie; in the blue or inwards to the white center.


~Diane

 

[jeffox]

If curling is an Olympic sport then why isn't cornhole an Olympic sport?

It would be a Summer Olympic sport, and it could be. It would take some effort, but if it was popular enough, with enough countries behind it, it could be added. There is already Trampoline, Rhythmic gymnastics and BMX. And didn't they try Break Dancing last time? I'm waiting for Poker and Darts to be added.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

I still don't understand the scoring in curling.
If curling is an Olympic sport then why isn't cornhole an Olympic sport?

The second part of your question confirms that not only do you not understand the scoring in curling, you also have never played the sport. Your puzzlement is not uncommon among those who have never swept a rock 100 feet down a sheet of ice!

There is virtually no physical exertion involved in cornhole. You just throw a bag and try to get it into a hole. Try sweeping a 42 lb. rock vigorously from release until it reaches the house or goes out. Then try doing that two or three times each end for eight or ten ends over the course of two or two-and-a-half hours. Believe me, if done well, it is not just a cakewalk.

At the beginner/amateur level it is less serious and the sweeping generally less taxing compared to competitive or professional level curling. It's similar to the difference between a casual baseball game compared to a competitive or professional league or at the Olympic level.

 

[davidvel]

The second part of your question confirms that not only do you not understand the scoring in curling, you also have never played the sport. Your puzzlement is not uncommon among those who have never swept a rock 100 feet down a sheet of ice!

There is virtually no physical exertion involved in cornhole. You just throw a bag and try to get it into a hole. Try sweeping a 42 lb. rock vigorously from release until it reaches the house or goes out. Then try doing that two or three times each end for eight or ten ends over the course of two or two-and-a-half hours. Believe me, if done well, it is not just a cakewalk.

At the beginner/amateur level it is less serious and the sweeping generally less taxing compared to competitive or professional level curling. It's similar to the difference between a casual baseball game compared to a competitive or professional league or at the Olympic level.

Clearly, you have never played cornhole. It requires drinking beer for hours on end, and near constant throwing of a 1.5 pound bag with precision to land in a hole many yards away or knock off opponents' bag(s). Curling is kid's work comparatively.

 

[CanuckTravlr]

Clearly, you have never played cornhole. It requires drinking beer for hours on end, and near constant throwing of a 1.5 pound bag with precision to land in a hole many yards away or knock off opponents' bag(s). Curling is kid's work comparatively.

Very cute!!! LOL.

Actually, I have played cornhole. I am also a retired, competitive curler. I can assure you that lifting and swinging a 42-pound curling stone and throwing it with precisely enough momentum to stop within inches 100+ feet away, with or without sweeping, is significantly more difficult than throwing a 1.5-pound bean bag 27+ feet, with or without the beer drinking!!

I will concede the beer drinking automatically means cornhole is not kid's work and it may impede the accuracy and the ability to remain vertical!!!

 

[Brett]

It would be a Summer Olympic sport, and it could be. It would take some effort, but if it was popular enough, with enough countries behind it, it could be added. There is already Trampoline, Rhythmic gymnastics and BMX. And didn't they try Break Dancing last time? I'm waiting for Poker and Darts to be added.

Good point. If Break Dancing is an Olympic sport then certainly pickleball and cornhole could be added

 

[jeffox]

Good point. If Break Dancing is an Olympic sport then certainly pickleball and cornhole could be added

I forgot pickleball, I bet that one makes it some time, it is very popular.

 

[Brett]

I forgot pickleball, I bet that one makes it some time, it is very popular.

And flag football

 

[davidvel]

Very cute!!! LOL.

Actually, I have played cornhole. I am also a retired, competitive curler. I can assure you that lifting and swinging a 42-pound curling stone and throwing it with precisely enough momentum to stop within inches 100+ feet away, with or without sweeping, is significantly more difficult than throwing a 1.5-pound bean bag 27+ feet, with or without the beer drinking!!

I will concede the beer drinking automatically means cornhole is not kid's work and it may impede the accuracy and the ability to remain vertical!!!

Introduce IPA to curling and we can talk.

 

[Snazzylass]

My son "curls," er plays here in the Midwest. And, I've been told he is a certified instructor. Clearly he enjoys it! No beer involved as he is very active in AA, as well.

 

[Talent312]

Good point. If Break Dancing is an Olympic sport then certainly pickleball and cornhole could be added

There is an International Pickleball Federation.
There is also a World Cornhole Organization (WCO).
They are both working toward inclusion in the Olympics.

To be included, a game must be played in at least 75 countries by men and 45 countries by women, across several continents, and be governed by an international organization (per Alexa).

 

[T_R_Oglodyte]

All Olympic curling stones come from this Scottish island. Here’s how they’re made

Every stone thrown at the Olympic curling tournaments comes from the same place — the remote island of Ailsa Craig, off the Scottish coast.

www.nytimes.com