Why is Curling ice slippery?


In curling, there’s actually a little more to it. Curling ice isn’t perfectly smooth, it’s covered in tiny droplets of frozen water called pebble. The narrow running band on the bottom of a curling rock travels across the tops of that pebble, allowing the rock to glide and curl its way down the sheet.

That carefully prepared ice is what makes our sport possible. It also means we’re spending our time walking, sliding and sweeping on a surface designed to be slippery.

No matter how many years you’ve curled, how good your balance is, or how comfortable you are on the ice, every time you step onto a curling sheet there is a chance you could fall.

“But I’ve Curled for Years”

We understand.

Curlers sometimes associate helmets with Learn to Curl programs, children, older adults or people who aren’t confident on the ice.

But experience doesn’t make the ice less slippery.

You can be a fantastic curler and still catch an edge. You can step on debris. You can lose your balance while sweeping. You can simply put your foot down in exactly the wrong place.

It only takes a second.

Head protection isn’t an admission that you’re bad at curling. It’s an acknowledgement that you’re curling on ice.

Yes, We Actually Wear Them Too

Goldline Customer Experience Manager Mandi and Product Merchandising Coordinator Connie wearing helmets on the curling ice.

We’re not interested in telling curlers to do something we aren’t willing to do ourselves.

And yes, we understand the stigma.

You might think you’ll look funny. You might be the only person on your team wearing one. Someone might even make a comment.

Wear it anyway.

This Isn’t About Selling You Our Headgear

Yes, Goldline sells protective headgear, but this isn’t about selling you ours. Many companies make head protection. Find something that fits properly, feels comfortable and, most importantly, wear it.

We love this sport and want curlers enjoying it for decades. We never want to hear that someone in our curling community has been seriously hurt doing something we all love.

We don’t care whose logo is on your headgear. We care that there’s something protecting your head.