Our Saturday morning schedule on-ice is from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. from October through mid April.  Volunteer instructors teach the children the techniques and rules of curling with an emphasis on safety and fun. Each session begins with an instructional component for approximately 45 minutes with the children in groups of the same skill level. Then they play a game for the rest of the session. We promote and encourage inter-club bonspiels for all ages, and have some club events that allow the teams to experience team play and have fun together.

For more information contact the Little Rocks coordinator - Mike Adair

Bonspiels

A bonspiel is a friendly competition typically at a different club.  There are many Little Rock bonspiels all over Eastern Ontario. All of the Little Rock bonspiels have an age limit and total age level.  At the bonspiels, the kids go out, meet the other team, and play without any adult supervision.  I know most kids enjoy the experience.  We encourage all Little Rock members to sign-up for one or more Bonspiels.  New curlers should wait until after Christmas to enter a Bonspiel in order to gain key skills. We will try and balance the bonspiel teams with experienced and less experienced players if possible.   

Up-Coming Bonspiels

We will coordinate a team or two for these events. Contact Steve Evraire - Granite Curling Club - Bonspiel Coordinator 613 825 6442   Here is the list from Curl Ontario.  

Equipment  

We teach the two-gripper technique and the full slider method.  This year we require all little rock members to have a full slider.  New sliders can be purchased at the club or other curling stores in the area.  The shoes used must be clean shoes - dedicated to curling. Shoes obvious warn outside or appear dirty will not be allowed on the ice.  The Granite prides itself in it's clean ice.  Some shoes do not lend themselves to be on the ice i.e they get hard due to cold then are very slippery.  Safety is a huge concern with us and therefore if your child does not possess the right equipment we will inform you and worse case not allowed on the ice. Each child is required to purchase a broom.  They again can be purchased at the club or at a curling store.  

Typical cost for Equipment  

$45 broom (Optional) $20

Full Slider (Mandatory) $20

Gripper (optional but recommended)

$30-50 Running Shoes.  (We don't recommend curling shoes for a new curler).  

What does a typical Little Rock Curler Wear out on the Ice?  

Gloves or mitts. Two or 3 sweaters are better than a jacket. Less bulky. Warm pants and preferable with long underwear.  Hat - a lot of heat loss from the head; NOTE: Poorly dressed curlers will often not last the whole 90 minutes on the ice.  

Refreshments  

After curling we encourage the curlers to stay for a small snack and hot chocolate.  

A Typical day on the Ice  

We warm up at 8:55am. At 9am we go out on ice and divide up the group on the 4 sheets of ice.  Volunteers on the ice are required. More on Volunteers later. We will work on a variety of skills for the first half (approximately 45 minutes) and often go into a small game for a couple ends. We are off the ice by 10:25 at the latest. We typically arrange kids in skill level and age level.  After skills are developed some days we will go straight into a game.  

Emphasis is on FUN and SAFETY  

Fun and Safety are our prime concerns.  We listen to our kids and adjust the program to make it fun.  Too much skill development can be boring.   Safety is a big concern.  Your kids are sliding or walking on ice.   We encourage you provide your children with the correct equipment.  Even that said, people slip, loose balance, get bumped etc.  We keep a close eye on the curlers and do not tolerate any horseplay.  Helmets are starting to be used for new curlers. Therefore we may require you sign a helmet waiver if you plan to have your new curler on the ice without a helmet.  

Volunteers  

This program, in fact the club in general is run by volunteers.  We need your active involvement in some aspect of running this program.   Curling courses are available at the start of the year so inquire by mid October   We thank all parents that have come forward to help.  Should be a great year.  

Note to Parents

Skill Testing

There are curling skill levels that the curlers can work towards.  At the Little Rock level, the first year, all participating curlers can achieve the white level.  An additional fee is required if you would like your curler to be tested and obtain the badge.  There are two other levels Red and Blue, which are achievable in the Little Rock Program. We will also be running the skills program again. A new curler will be able to get the white level quite easily by attending.  Red level will take an asserted effort. Often will take two to three years to complete depending on age level. Last year we also have a few that were in Blue Level.   The Skill Testing program will be available if we can get suitable number and level of coaches.