Curling is one of the oldest sports still played today. A winter staple in many countries, it is played on a curling rink and has four players per team. Curling may also be one of the only sports that uses a broom throughout the game.
Practicing and playing ice curling on natural ice is ideal, but it is not always an option or convenient.
A great option is a synthetic rink. It is easy to assemble, can fit in most flat surfaces, and is durable as well. Read on to find out how KwikRink Synthetic Ice can provide this for you.
In a Curling Rink: The Basics
According to The Winchester Curling Club, the traditional curling rink is 146 – 150 feet in length by 14.2 – 15.7 feet wide.
It consists of several sections marked under the ice with ribbon or paint. There are four players at each end.
To score, players must get their rock as close to the button or scoring area as possible. The center of this section is called the tee. It is where most points are scored.
As long as we are speaking on curling terms, it is good to point out that there are specific terms for everything in the sport of curling.
- Rock: The large stone with a handle that slides on the ice to score points. There are eight rocks per team, meaning that each player goes twice.
- Hack: This is where the rock is slid and accompanied by players who sweep the ice to cut on friction. The sweeping gives a seamless path to the button for a score.
- Sheet: The actual playing surface of the rink.
- House: The main features of the sheet.
- Hog Line: Where the rock is released.
- Button: Located in the middle of the rink and has three circles. Their diameters are four feet, eight feet, and twelve feet, respectively.
- Tee: The middle of the button.
Each side of the curling sheet has the areas listed above, one for each team. Each player also wears special shoes as part of their uniform that allows them to walk on the ice. They do not wear skates when on the ice.
The markings on a traditional curling rink are made with ribbon, vinyl, or paint placed under the ice.
Natural Ice
A curling rink is made out of ice, but how is such a big sheet of ice made? In most commercial and large arenas, water is piped into the area where the ice will go. Sensors are placed under the rink to alert to temperature and melting.
The sensors allow someone to fluctuate the temperature as needed, but it also requires monitoring. You would need someone to sit and monitor the rink temperature and fix it as needed.
Keeping up natural ice can also be labor-intensive. Zambonis, temperature monitoring — and it certainly is not mobile or malleable.
It does not have to be like that; there is an alternative.
Although natural ice is authentic to the sport and ambiance of curling, you can use an alternative. One that you can get anywhere and that can be used regardless of the weather.
Synthetic Ice Is Nice
KwikRink Synthetic Ice has produced an alternative to natural ice, and that is synthetic ice. Synthetic ice is convenient not only because it can go just about anywhere the client wants but also because it is easy to install. KwikRink has designed their synthetic ice to assemble like pieces of a puzzle.
KwikRink has made its synthetic ice to come in sheets called ice tiles. Their straightforward construction makes them ideal for storage or even moving the rink itself. Snap the tiles on or off, and before you know it, you can be curling on your rink.
Unlike ice, it also does not require temperature monitoring, which makes synthetic ice easier to use. You can play or train on it without wondering if it is melting or not, and let’s face it, peace of mind is priceless.
Synthetic ice can be used year-round regardless of the weather, which means that your curling season and training does not need to end. There is no off-season, and you can better yourself on your time and your terms.
Easy assembly means easy to take down and store when not used. Natural ice needs to be melted and cleaned up after. KwikRink’s tiles snap away from each other, quickly making clean up a breeze.
It also means that the rink can be added onto or made smaller. It can meet any needs you have; whether that is curling, playing hockey, skating, synthetic ice can handle all of it.
Taking Care of Your Synthetic Rink
Maintaining the synthetic ice is just as easy as putting it together, making it ideal to use. You can even clean it with a broom and mop. No special cleaners or tools needed. The only cleaning supplies you need are a mop, broom, and mild detergent.
You cannot get much easier than that. Ease means having fun while you use your ice tiles.
Why KwikRink Synthetic Ice?
KwikRink Synthetic Ice has been producing and improving this product since the mid-1990s. That’s almost 30 years of expertise used to construct rinks around the United States. They have proven their dedication and eye for quality.
They ship nationally, but they will also work with you to construct your ideal curling rink. They also work with budgets to give you the most bang for your buck.
When you receive your ice tiles, they will include everything you need to maintain your synthetic ice—no need to buy extra accessories or unique, expensive products.
The KwikRink is versatile as well. Perfect for curling at home and well-suited to commercial use, or you can even rent one if you only need it for a little while. It is a great year-round alternative to actual ice. One made by people who care and understand ice and winter sports.
Call KwikRink Synthetic Ice today to have your very own custom curling rink — no Zamboni required.
