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Questions About the Club

Q: Do you have a good curling team?

A: We have lots of them!

We're organized in weekly leagues that play on different days. Each league has its own set of teams and each team is made up of four club members. So if you play in two leagues, say the Sunday night league and the Thursday morning league, you will play on two entirely different teams.

Many of our members also organize their own teams to play in bonspiels (curling tournaments) at other clubs both near (Schenectady) and far (Minnesota!)

Q: Can I just drop by with my friends and play?

A: Unfortunately, no.

For a number of reasons, play in our club is limited to our members and our guests from other curling clubs.

Q: Can I hold my corporate team-building event at the club?

A: We do offer team-building events, depending on availability both of our ice and of volunteers to staff the event.

 Drop us an email at TheAlbanyCurlingClub@gmail.com and we'll get back to you with info on what we offer and answer any questions you might have.

 

Q: Can I use the club for my private party?

 A: We have hosted private parties in the past.

Like corporate team-building events, they are subject to the availablility of our facility and our volunteer pool.

Corporate team-building events, however, are generally held on weekdays during traditional work hours. Private parties are more likely to conflict with our regularly scheduled activities.

Email your request to TheAlbanyCurlingClub@gmail.com and we'll let you know if it's possible to accomodate you.

Q: Where are you located?

A: We are in Guilderland at 117 W McKown Rd, off of Schoolhouse Rd.

Take a sharp turn off Schoolhouse onto W McKown.

If you're coming from Western Ave, it's a sharp left, if you're coming from Krumkill Rd, it's a right.

Q: Do you play all year round?

A: No.

Our season runs from early October through the middle of April.

Q: How come you never return my calls?

A: The Albany Curling Club is a volunteer oganization that is run entirely by its members. Since we have no staff, there's no guarantee that we'll be around when you call or even get your message in a timely manner.

The best way to reach us is by email at TheAlbanyCurlingClub@gmail.com.

 

Questions About the Sport

Q: Do you wear special shoes?

Q: Yes.

Curling shoes have special "grippers" that allow safer movement on the ice. When delivering the stone, the gripper on the curler's non-dominant foot is removed to expose a teflon-coated pad, known as a "slider", that allows the curler to slide out onto the ice.

You can, however, curl without special shoes, by using slip-on grippers that can be worn over regular shoes and a step-on slider that is placed under the non-dominant foot when delivering the stone.

Q: How much does the stone weigh?

A: A curling stone weighs more than 40 pounds.

The good news is that to play the game, you don't have to pick up the stone. You just slide it down the ice.

Q: What is up with the brooms?

A: Sweeping the ice in front of the stone with a curling broom does two things.

It keeps the stone going in a straighter line than if there were no sweeping.

And it keeps the stone from slowing down as fast as it would if there were no sweeping.

Both increase the chances that the stone will end up in the spot you intended.

Q: Can I be the sweeper?

A: Sweeping in curling is like batting in baseball: everyone gets a chance to do it!

Each player delivers two stones per "end" (like an inning in baseball). When you're not delivering your stones, you're sweeping the stones delivered by your teammates.

The exception to this is the "skip", who stands at the other end of the ice through all of this to direct everyone's deliveries.

Once a stone gets close enough, though, the skip can join in the fun and sweep it if needed.

Questions About the Open House/Learn to Curl Events

Q: When can I learn how to curl?

A: We now hold Learn to Curl session for adults which allows participants a safer, and more in-depth introduction to curling and includes time to play a couple of ends with fellow participants. Learn to Curl sessions generally run about 2 hours long, including time to "warm-up" prior to learning, and ask questions along the way. Learn to curl sessions are typically held in early October and early January. 

Q: How much does it cost?

A: The Learn to Curl events held in 2024 -2025 will cost $30 per person (per 2-hour session). 

 

Q: Do I have to reserve a time?

A: You must reserve a spot on Eventbrite to participate in the Learn to Curl events

 

Q: What should I wear?

A: Dress warmly. It's fairly cold out on the ice.

You'll be doing a physical activity, so wear comfortable clothes that will allow you to move freely. Sweat pants are better than tight blue jeans.

As for footwear: We'll need to cover your shoes with grippers for safety, so sneakers are best. Heavy boots are too bulky, and grippers don't work on heels.

Dirt and debris from your shoes can mess up our ice, so we will clean your shoes when you arrive. If you can carry a clean pair of sneakers with you, it will speed up the process and be greatly appreciated.

 

Q:  Do I have to bring my own skates or other equipment?

A: No.

For one thing, we don't use ice skates in curling! (See "Do you wear special shoes?") We will provide all the equipment you'll need (rocks, grippers, stabilizers, sliders and brooms) to learn what curling's all about!

Q: I missed the most recent Learn to Curl event. Can I still come by and learn about curling?

A: . We'd love to show you around our facility and tell you a little about the sport. Drop us a line at TheAlbanyCurlingClub@gmail.com and we'll try to find a volunteer who's available to give you a tour. We also offer private Learn to Curl Sessions