Curling Experience
The Holy Land of Curling : Kitami
Curling originated about 500 years ago as a game similar to curling in Scotland, where children slid stones on frozen ponds. Adults saw this and developed it into a sport. Back then, flat-bottomed stones were slid on ice. The basic rules were established about 200 years ago (early 18th century) in Canada.
Kitami City is a bustling hub for curling, with players ranging from juniors to professional teams honing their skills daily. This environment has produced many Japanese national curling representatives, and recently, the women’s curling team Loco Solare won a silver medal at the Beijing Olympics.
Kitami City, where the whole town supports curling players and also offers experiences for visitors, can truly be called ‘The Holy Land of Curling.’
Experience content
Enjoy curling with a guide!
01
Get Used to the Ice!
Enter the sheet (ice) with the non-slider foot first. Use the brush for support, and glide forward by pushing the ice with the other foot. Take your time until you get used to it.
02
Try Throwing a Stone!
● Check the Throwing Form.
- Put your non-slider foot on the hack and squat, then extend your opposite leg and the hand holding the stone forward.
- Maintain position 1, lift your buttocks.
- Shift your weight backward along with the upper body, in sync with the foot on the slider side.
- As you kick off the hack with your back foot, simultaneously shift your weight onto the front foot, and glide forward with the stone. Release the stone while you still have momentum.
03
Try Sweeping with the Brush!
“Sweeping” refers to the action of brushing the ice surface to help the stone travel further or adjust its direction.
Grip the lower part of the brush handle and place the head parallel to the ice.
Put your weight on the brush and sweep the ice quickly!
● Sweeping Calls are Important!
Observe the distance and speed of the stone to the house and communicate accordingly.
04
Let’s play a mini game
- Split into two teams and decide the order of throwing stones and who will give directions.
- Decide which team goes first and which goes second. (The team throwing the last stone has an advantage!)
- Each team takes turns, with each player throwing two stones.
- Keep an eye on the state of the house and have strategy discussions with your team.
- The team whose stone is closest to the center of the house after the last stone is thrown wins!
After playing curling,
take a break with a warm soup.
Experience Details
Location of
Experience
Location of Experience
Advics Tokoro Curling Hall
2-2 Tosa, Tokoro, Kitami City, Hokkaido
Click here for the official website
Algographics Kitami Curling Hall
603-14 Hakuyo-cho, Kitami City, Hokkaido
Click here for the official website
Clothing &
Equipment
Clothing & Equipment
To play curling safely, always wear protective gear and helmets.
① Helmet
② Elbow protectors
③ Knee protectors
④ Gloves
⑤ Shoes
⑥ Slider
⑦ Brush
⑧ Cold weather gear
・All equipment is available for rent at the venue (charges apply).
・Please prepare comfortable bottoms to wear.
・Choose the right size for your equipment.
Embrace Hokkaido in a Moment
Contact Information
Secretariat / Rogical Co., Ltd.
Tel 0157-57-9636
Meil info@rogical.co.jp