How to Prepare Curling Ice

Curling is an ancient Scottish sport that involves two teams of four players each sliding special rocks down a sheet of ice in order to reach a target enclosed in rings. The ice surface is important and can affect the outcome of games. The ice is not the flat ice that you would use for hockey or skating, but has tiny bumps on the surface to help the rocks curl into place. A professional ice maker is required to prepare and maintain the ice so that a game can be played.

Things You'll Need

  • Arena with an even floor of concrete and painted rings and lines
  • 2 colors of ice paint
  • Water with hose
  • 2 hacks
  • Pebbling machine
  • Nipper (large push broom that is the same width of the ice sheet)
  • Small broom with soft bristles
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Instructions

    • 1

      Paint the rings on the concrete floor using ice paint. The rings must be perfect circles in alternating colors with white in between and in the center. Paint lines on the ice that indicate the area of play.

    • 2

      Flood the ice surface completely with a thin layer or water. Allow to freeze completely. Do the same thing again, repeatedly. Continue to flood the ice with thin layers until you have a sheet that is three-quarters of an inch thick.

    • 3
      The hack allows the curler to have a secure foothold when throwing.

      Cut a hole in the ice to fit the hacks. Place the hacks in position and flood the ice again to freeze the hacks firmly into the ice.

    • 4

      Use a pebbling machine with a hose and sprinkler to create a layer of bumps called "pebbles" on the surface of the ice. Make sure this is done evenly.

    • 5

      Use a large broom to sweep the ice sheet of any debris that may have landed on it during the ice-making process. Use a small broom to clean up any debris that may have gathered around the hacks.