One of the great things about curling is that it is very adaptable and people of all ages and abilities can curl!

The use of a curling stick is an alternative delivery method for players who may have issues with the traditional curling slide. We are happy to allow stick curlers at all of our Wine Country events. We even provide instruction and supplies to help you get started.

There is no limit to who may use the curling stick. Many will transition to using a stick when they’ve sustained an injury or their flexibility is reduced. There is a misconception that the use of the delivery stick is tied to a player's age. This is simply not true. Older players may choose the stick as their method for delivery because of the relative safety it provides versus sliding from the hack.

Also, wheelchair curlers use the curling stick as their only means of delivering stones.

The delivery stick is not however, limited to those groups. It is an innovative way to introduce new players to the sport who may be apprehensive about trying the traditional sliding technique. Anyone at any age or physical condition may choose to use the delivery stick.

We have curated a few instructional videos (with notes) below to help further explain stick curling.

  • Key point: the stone follows the imaginary line between the hack and the skip's broom
  • Key point: keep stick at the belly button not the side of the hip
  • Key point: handle at 10:00 or 2:00 and then back to 12:00 when releasing
  • Key point: watch for the foot placement in the hack
  • Key point: use a v-grip (like in golf)
  • Key point: VISUALIZE THE SHOT
  • Key point: keep walking, don't stop when you release, follow to the stone down for a few more steps after you have let it go
  • Key point: WHAT DID I LEARN after I threw each shot?
  • Key point: good slo-mo
  • Key point: this one says handle at 11:00 and 1:00 -- so each curler need to decide for themselves on if 10:00 and 2:00 or 11:00 and 1:00 is best.  
  • Key point: how to determine which size stick to use (measure from ground to armpit)
  • Key point: hold a glove in between elbow and body to ensure the position is good (starting at 4:03)