Cedar Rapids Curling Member Handbook

(updated for 2024-25)

Mission statement

Cedar Rapids Curling’s mission is to share throughout Eastern Iowa the spirit of curling, which is honor, sportsmanship, courtesy, and inclusiveness; to improve the health and quality of life for all willing to try; and to empower those committed to becoming a serious competitor on the national and international stage.

Diversity: Cedar Rapids Curling does not discriminate nor tolerate discrimination based on gender, gender orientation, race, religion, age, national origin, disability, or social-economic status. Cedar Rapids Curling strives to make it possible for anyone who is able to safely be on ice to participate if at all reasonably possible.

Adaptive curling: Cedar Rapids Curling celebrates the unique nature of curling that allows persons with disabilities to participate. Cedar Rapids Curling will find a way for any interested person who can safely be on the ice to participate when their physical abilities do not allow for typical curling styles and techniques.

Member directory: Members may access the full membership directory, with contact information, in the member’s section of our website, when logged in.

2024-25 season calendar

Full up-to-date event listings available at cedarrapidscurling.com.

Leagues

Fall 2021 (10 weeks)

Sept. 10-Dec. 10 (up to three byes; Nov. 26 off)

Tuesdays: 6:45-9:15 p.m.

Winter 2022 (10 weeks)

Jan. 21-April 22 (up to three byes; March 18 off; April 29 snow make-up day)

Tuesdays: 6:45-9:15 p.m

Instructional Leagues

Sept. 24-Oct. 15

Nov. 5-Dec. 3

Feb. 4-25

March 25-April 15

Board of Directors

The Cedar Rapids Curling Board of Directors is elected by the general membership to establish policies in order to accomplish Cedar Rapids Curling’s mission through appointed officers and committee chairs.

2023-24 Board of Directors

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Phil Burian (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Lynn Benkusky (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Andrew Forman (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Steve Foster (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Beth Hinson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Kari Kozak (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Nate Marzen (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Emily Nelson (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Lon Peper (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Greg Schmitt (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

David Sibert (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Cale Tesch (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

Office positions

President (Phil Burian)

The principal executive officer of Cedar Rapids Curling with general supervision over all of business and affairs. Must be a member of the Board.

Vice president (Lon Peper)

Performs those functions of the President that are expressly delegated by the Board or that are immediately necessary in the president’s absence.

Secretary (Lynn Benkusky)

Keeps the minutes of Board meetings, manages Cedar Rapid Curling’s documents retention, and is the Cedar Rapids Curling historian by ensuring that all media coverage, awards, and matters of noteworthy importance are preserved in a single location for future marketing and historical reference.

Treasurer (Steve Foster)

Comptroller of all Cedar Rapids Curling funds. Submits financial reports to the Board, and is responsible for tracking and collecting member dues and Cedar Rapids Curling funds, and filing taxes.

Events coordinator (Kari Kozak)

Coordinates and oversees annual and special events throughout the year, including CedarSpiel and Olympic cycle events, annual general meeting of members, learn-to-curl events, and corporate/group events. Appoints leaders and committees as necessary for ad hoc events. Works with ImOn Ice Arena to schedule and develop contracts for such events. Identifies, schedules, and promotes bonspiels and friendlies to Cedar Rapids Curling members. Serves as the single point of contact for recruitment, coordination, and tracking of volunteers for all events.

Ice coordinator (Lon Peper)

Ensures that Cedar Rapids Curling’s ice volunteers are trained in ice set-up and supervised to guarantee a positive curling experience for all. The four main factors regarding the ice are: consistent curl, consistent keenness, cleanliness, and safety of the ice surface.

Instructional league coordinator (Phil Engen)

Serves as a liaison with Kirkwood Community College to schedule and manage instructional league, in tandem with the League Coordinator. Develops weekly curriculum and ensures instructors are prepared to teach each night’s skills lessons. Recruits and schedules instructors for each week.

League coordinator (Cale Tesch)

Schedules and manages all regular league play and team formation, including playdowns when needed.

Marketing/communications coordinator (Emily Nelson)

Develops and manages content for internal and external Cedar Rapids Curling marketing and communication strategies for ongoing operations as well as special events, including internal communication including e-newsletters, CRC website, social media (public-facing and virtual warm room), promotional materials, media pitches, and merchandise. Ensures all content aligns with the Cedar Rapids Curling brand. Serves as a liaison between media representatives and community event organizers.

Membership development coordinator

Grows membership by communicating with and walking prospective curlers from learn-to-curls or corporate events to instructional league to full membership. Cultivates a fun, welcoming, and informational experience at all types of instructional events. Educates prospective and current members about membership perks, including friendlies and bonspiels.

Technology coordinator (Andrew Forman)

Manages the website and public and private Facebook site. Provides technical support to Cedar Rapids Curling internet-based activities and ensures that authorized individuals are equipped and trained to directly post material to Cedar Rapids Curling internet platforms to maintain its marketing, membership, and volunteer missions.

Note: All officers are encouraged to delegate tasks within their responsibilities to balance their workload or take advantage of specialized expertise, provided that they continue to monitor and meet necessary benchmarks and deadlines.

Key information

Volunteering

Cedar Rapids Curling Club is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization run entirely by volunteers, who are our most important asset. Our continuing success depends on your volunteer support and we need the additional support of non-members as well. Members are expected to contribute. If you do not already contribute your time and talent, please talk to our events coordinator or a member of the Board about how you can help in a way that is rewarding to you personally.

While individual work always is needed, we also need leaders for short-term and long-term projects. We support our leaders, so please let us know what interests you so that we can discuss how you can contribute to our mission. There is a place for everyone.

Bonspiels and friendlies

A goal of Cedar Rapids Curling is to have at least every member participate in one bonspiel or friendly (short social play with clubs close enough to drive to, play, and be back in the same day). You do not have to consider yourself a “good” curler to represent Cedar Rapids Curling well at these events. You will enjoy yourself and receive the tremendous benefit of meeting new and old friends while playing on ice that often is more optimal for curling than our arena ice. (If you have never played on dedicated ice, you have to experience it to believe it.) Please watch for bonspiel and friendly opportunities throughout the year and do not be shy about looking to form or join a team.

Grievances

Members who feel they are being treated unfairly, harassed, or have other complaints about Cedar Rapids Curling operations are encouraged to raise their concern with any member of the Board. Complaints may be made confidentially. Cedar Rapids Curling’s policy for responding to complaints is set forth the Strategic Plan and Operations Manual.

Member payments

Membership dues and league fees must be paid in full no later than the fourth week of the current league. Members who have not paid in full for prior seasons will not be allowed to register for another league before the past due amounts are paid. The Board may approve exceptions based on considerations of:

Respect for those members who have paid in full.
Exigent circumstances
Non-monetary contributions such as volunteer record.

Substitutes

Members who have registered and paid for league may substitute for free during bye weeks (subject to substitute need).
Members who have not registered and paid for league may substitute in up to five free games each membership period (subject to substitute need). The cost to substitute after five free games is $24 per game.

All members who cannot be present for scheduled league or other play shall be responsible for identifying a substitute. The obligation to ensure a full team on the ice is not only owed to one’s teammates, but to the opposing team as well. A failure to field a full team may result in forfeit of the game. A sub subbing for a paid member shall not be required to pay duplicate dues to play in the spot. Skips must make sure their team members observe this policy.

Substitutes must be dues-paying members of Cedar Rapids Curling.

How to find a sub:

Log in as a member on our website; the sub list is found on the menu on the right.
Post your need for a substitute on the Cedar Rapids Curling Warm Room on Facebook.
Make an announcement before your draw or before the next draw. You may find a volunteer from the subs that are playing at that time.

Use of subs:

During league round robin play, substitutes should be assigned to play a position in the front end (lead or second) of the team they are subbing for, but may be allowed to play in the third or skip position when there would not otherwise be an experienced player in either of those positions for that team during that game session.
During bonspiels and league playdowns, substitutes should be assigned to play a position in the front end (lead or second) of the team they are subbing for.
During league playdowns, a maximum of two substitutes are allowed per team.

League ice prep, set-up, and clean-up

The club needs your help to prepare the ice and set up the stone. Please show up 15 to 20 minutes prior to our start time in order to set up each night. If you are unable to arrive early, please plan on staying later in the evening to help clean up the ice and put away stones.

Set-up

One broom and one mop across all sheets of ice. Two pebblers across all sheets of ice. One box of stones across both sides of each sheet of ice, followed by a mop. Pebbling will be done by someone trained on how to properly pebble.
Hacks need to be drilled into the marked spots on the ice.
Scoreboards and numbers need to be placed on the ice.
Stone carts need to be rolled out of the freezers and stones placed on each sheet of ice.

Clean-up

After the end of your game, stones must be placed back on their carts and rolled into the freezers.
Hacks must be removed from the ice and placed in storage.
Scoreboards and numbers must be put in storage.
Remove remaining items from the ice (sliders, brooms, coats, drinks, etc.)

Safety items

Step into the hack prior to setting your slider foot.
If you begin to fall, drop your broom.
If you fall backward, tuck your chin to your chest and try to keep your head from hitting the ice.
If someone falls on your sheet or near your sheet, please check to make sure they are OK.
Be aware of sheets and potential hazards around you.
When cleaning up, do not throw stones across sheets that are still in play or toward players with their backs turned.
In the event you fall, and you are not injured, get to your feet as quickly and safely as possible. If you are injured, stay on the ice until assistance from other club members and/or medical staff arrive to assess and assist.
When injured, an accident report must be filled out and submitted to a board member at the time of injury.

League etiquette

Have fun and play safe!
Play with a good sporting attitude
- Begin and end the game with a round of handshakes.
- Commend your teammates and opponents on good shots.
- It is OK to be happy about a good shot, but do not exaggerate.
- It is never OK to openly celebrate a mistake or bad shot by an opponent.
Make sure your equipment is clean before stepping onto the ice:
- Shoes used outdoors should not be worn on the ice. If unavoidable, thoroughly brush off and clean your shoes before entering the ice.
- Clean your broom head off of the playing ice, not over it.
Lift knees and hands off of the ice as quickly as possible after delivering a stone, in a safe manner. Body heat will melt the ice and create deviations that affect the travel of the curling stones.

Non-delivering team:

Move to the side after your shot is complete to give the other team the ice. Do not linger.
Unless you are the next thrower or skip, remain between the hog lines.
If you are throwing next, stand well behind the hack and off to the side or at the hog line.
Only skips and vice skips are allowed in the house.
Skips and vice skips, when standing behind the house, stand still during opponent’s shots and hold your broom out of sight or parallel to the ground.

Delivering team:

After sweeping, walk back along the side, not in the middle of the sheet.
As soon as your opponent has left the hack, prepare your stone, broom or stabilizer, slider, and yourself at the hack. Be ready to throw before the opponent’s stone comes to rest.
If the skip will be throwing the next stone, prepare the stone for him or her.
Only skips and vice skips are allowed in the house unless actively sweeping.

At the conclusion of an end:

Only vice skips shall score the end. All other players shall remain outside while scoring is agreed to by the vice skips.
Once the vice skips agree on the score for that end, move the stones to the area behind the hack. Do not worry about rearranging the stones in order.
If you are the lead that is to throw first in the next end, get your stone, move into the hack, and be ready to throw. Do not collect stones unless you are needed.
If you are the skip, go to the other end of the ice and be ready to start the next end while the stones are being gathered.
Concede the game if it is not possible to catch up to tie or win.
Only the losing skip can concede a game.
If it is early in the game and you want to continue playing for practice, concede the game first, then ask to keep playing for practice. Some may like to try playing a different position, or some may want to leave early if it’s a late draw. Make sure to record the score at the point the game is called
After the game, stay for and socialize with your opponents. Broomstacking is strongly encouraged! We broomstack at Union Station Sport Bar & Grill, 1724 16th Ave. SW.
The winning team buys the first round. The losing team buys the second round.
The winning skip is responsible for recording the score on the club website or notifying the league coordinator.

League rules

League Format and Scheduling

Team registrations will be closed prior to the start of the league playing schedule to allow for the creation of team rosters and determination of the league schedule prior to the first playing session of the league.
The first part of the league schedule may consist of a single-pass round-robin session, followed by a game elimination playdown round. Playdowns may consist of multiple events. The structure will depend on how many teams sign up for the session.
The league schedule, including breaks, will be communicated to the entire league no later than the first playing session of the league. This should include the round-robin schedule, including byes and sheet assignments for each playing session.
Playdown draw schedules may be TBD until such time as standings and teams participating in later playdown draws are known. Playdown sessions for the league should be identified when the league schedule is set.
Cedar Rapids Curling will communicate changes in the league schedule to the affected players as soon as possible once the need for the change is known.
Schedule reminders may be sent as deemed necessary.
Communication between skips and their teams is encouraged.
Games are to start at the published time. There is no requirement to wait for late participants.
To start a game, vice skips will flip a coin to determine the choice of hammer or rock color.
During the first week of league, after the game play has been completed, each team may throw a warm draw to be used for potential tie breakers during the league session.

Team composition

Unless league play is predetermined to select a competitive team for play against other clubs, members will be asked to play with a mix of new and experienced teammates to advance Cedar Rapids Curling growth and expand member development.

Team rosters will be constructed to consist of four (4) players, based upon the registrations received by the league coordinator, in a manner to be determined by the league coordinator and the Cedar Rapids Curling Board of Directors.
Teams must field a minimum of three (3) players at the start of the game. Substitute players may make up a portion of this number, as noted in these rules. Teams that cannot field three players will be considered to be in forfeit.
Teams that field three (3) players are expected to play in the following rotation: Players 1 and 2 each shoot three rocks, and player 3 shoots two rocks.
Teams may determine which member of their roster will play lead, second, third, and skip for a given game, but the rotation established for the first end will be maintained throughout the duration of that game session.
A missing player that arrives after their team has started play may enter play at the start of the next end, in their designated position in the team rotation.
Teams must field at least two (2) players regularly carried on the team roster at the start of the game. Teams that cannot provide two (2) rostered players are considered to be in forfeit.

League results and standings

The league coordinator will maintain the playing schedule (dates/times), team rosters, substitute lists, draw assignments, and standings for each game session of the league schedule.
Winning skips will enter game scores on the website immediately after the game. These results will be published on our website as soon as possible after the conclusion of each playing session.
Playdowns, if used, will be set based upon a seeding of the teams within a league, based on standings and statistics as recorded over the course of round-robin play.
Ties within league standings will be broken based upon round-robin play statistics recorded for each team, in a manner determined in advance of league start by the league coordinator.
If two teams are tied, it will be head-to-head record.
If three or more teams are tied within league standings, the cumulative record against the other teams that are tied will determine the standings.
If standings cannot be determined by head-to-head or cumulative results, ties will be broken using the warm draw that will be done in week one.
The winning skip is responsible for communicating the results of the game, as noted in these rules, to the league coordinator at the conclusion of their game.
Game results will include an identification of the winning team. No additional data is required.

Redelivering stones

A stone is in play when it reaches the tee line at the delivering end. When the stone, any portion of the player and the stabilizer/broom have not reached the tee line at the delivering end, the stone may be returned to the hack and redelivered.

Measures and scoring during a game

Measures are to be made by the vice skips of both teams, working together to achieve an agreed-upon result.
If a measure made by the vice skips is found to be inconclusive, an additional measure may be made by an individual that does not have an interest in the outcome of the measure, provided one is available to make the measure without impacting the conduct of other games in play. If an additional measure is not obtained under this rule, the existing measure is considered equal.
All rocks other than those directly involved in the measure should be removed from the house prior to starting the measure.
The outcome of measures should be indicated to observers by manually moving the rock measured closest to the button toward the button until there is no ambiguity as to the outcome of the measure.
If a decision cannot be reached, either visually or with a measuring device, the measure is considered equal.
If a measure to determine which team scored in an end is found to be equal, the end is blanked.
If a measure to determine additional points is found to be equal, only the stones closer to the button than those involved in the measurement are counted.
Vice skips are responsible for scoring each end during the course of a game; once the score for an end is determined and agreed upon by both vice skips, either visually or by measure, the vice skip of the scoring team is responsible for posting the score for that end on the game scoreboard, as soon as practicable after the score is agreed upon.

Forfeits and ties during league play

Forfeits

If a team is late in starting, an end scoring one point will be awarded to the present team for every 15 minutes that passes until regular play begins. That end will be considered an “absent end.” The remaining length of the game will be reduced accordingly.
If play cannot be started by the time four absent ends are recorded, the absent team will be considered to be in forfeit.
Forfeits will be recorded as 4-0 loss for the forfeiting team, with the winning team receiving one point per end for four ends.
A team must have at least two of its rostered players in a game to count. Without two rostered players present, the team will forfeit its game.
If a game is forfeited, the ice will be available to any of the scheduled players present to practice or have an exhibition game.

Ties in round robin play

Ties are allowed during round-robin play. No additional resolution of the tie is required.
In the case of a tie during round-robin play, league statistics will be recorded as prescribed by the league coordinator.

Ties in playdowns

Ties will not be allowed during playdowns.
Ties during playdowns will be broken with each team throwing one rock, with one shot-caller and two sweepers, at an empty house. The shot closest to the button will be considered the winner. Sweeping an opposing stone is prohibited, even if it is past the tee line.
The second shot of the rocks will go to the team who would have held the hammer had an extra end been played.
The first of the team’s rocks thrown will be removed from the house once its distance to the button has been determined.
To be considered a valid shot, team’s rocks must come to rest in the house
If a team’s shot is considered invalid (outside of the house), it will be considered to be out of play, and that team’s shot will be considered completed.

Rule violations

Understanding that curling games are self-regulated, rule and etiquette violations encountered during the course of play are expected to be peaceably resolved by the parties involved if possible.
Violations of these rules that cannot be resolved in a sporting-like manner at the time of the occurrence, and/or violations of Cedar Rapids Curling or league policies, including issues of behavior that are considered to be in violation of rules and policies, are to be reported to the league coordinator as soon as possible.
The league coordinator may provide ruling on any violations of league rules and policies as noted herein.
Rulings of the league coordinator may be appealed to the Board of Directors, as noted in the bylaws.
The league coordinator will report any violations of league rules and/or Cedar Rapids Curling policies that are communicated to them as unresolved during play, to the Board of Directors, within one (1) week of notification. Any applicable rulings made by the league coordinator should also be included as a part of this report.
Rulings of the league coordinator that are either uncontested or are supported by the Board of Directors, will be considered binding for the purposes of league

Curling terms

4 foot: The ring closest to the button. The ring measures 4 feet across.

8 foot: The ring next to the 4 foot. The ring measures 8 feet across.

12 foot: The ring next to the 8 foot. The ring measures 12 feet across.

Biter: A rock barely touching the 12 foot ring.

Blank end: Neither team scores in the end.

Bonspiel: A curling tournament.

Board weight: Throwing a rock with enough speed that it will come to rest at the board behind the hacks.

Broomstacking: Slang for socializing with teammates and opponents, often over a drink, after a game.

Burned: A rock touched while in motion.

Button: The smallest ring in the house. It is two feet in diameter, also called the “pot” or “lid.”

Buried: A rock that is hidden behind another rock making it difficult for a thrower to hit.

Center guard: A rock short of the house and in the center of the sheet.

Corner guard: A rock short of the house and to the side.

Counter: A stone in the house lying closer to the center than any of the opponent’s stones. Each counter scores one point at the completion of an end.

Courtesy line: A line indicating where the sweepers from the non-delivering team are allowed to stand in order to ensure that an umpire can view the hog line and to prevent distraction of a delivering player.

Delivery: The process of throwing a rock.

Draw: A shot that comes to rest within the house.

End: When 16 rocks have come to rest, similar to an inning in baseball.

Flash: To throw a rock completely through the house without touching any other rocks.

Freeze: A rock coming to rest touching another rock.

Free guard zone: The rule that states that an opponent’s rock cannot be removed from play until five rocks have come to rest.

Guard: A rock that comes to rest in front of another rock for protection.

Hack: The pieces of rubber you push off from at either end of the sheet.

Hammer: The last shot of the end.

Handle: The part of the rock held by the player; the desired rotation of the stone.

Hogged rock: A rock that comes to rest short of or on the hog line and is removed from play.

Hog line: The thick black line 33 feet from the hack.

House: The area within the outside ring at either end of the sheet.

Hurry!: This means to sweep immediately.

In-turn: A rock that rotates clockwise for a right-handed player.

Lead: The first player on a team to deliver a pair of rocks in each end.

Narrow: A rock delivered off the broom and closer toward the target.

No handle: A rock that is not rotating.

Nose: The point on a rock closest to the shooter.

Off the broom: An incorrectly aimed shot.

Out-turn: A rock that rotates counter clock-wise for a right-handed player.

Pebble: The frozen bumps on the ice that the rocks ride on.

Rink: A curling team.

Raise: A shot where the delivered rock will hit another rock and move it forward.

Reverse handle: A rock that is rotating in the opposite direction called by the skip.

Second: The curler who delivers the second pair of rocks in an end.

Sheet: The total playing area for one game.

Shot rock: The rock in the house closest to the button; the next closest rocks are second shot and third shot.

Skip: The captain of the team.

Spinner: A rock traveling with a rapid rotation. Rocks thrown in this manner will curl only a small amount, if at all.

Takeout: A rock thrown hard enough to remove another rock from play.

Tee line: The line that intersects the house at the center line.

Vice: The player who discusses strategy with the skip behind the house; holds the broom while the skip throws his/her rocks; usually throws the third pair of rocks in each end.

Warm draw: Each team throws one rock at an empty house. The shot closest to the button will be considered the winner. Sweeping an opposing stone is prohibited, even if it is past the tee line.

Weight: The amount of speed with which a rock is delivered.

Wide: A rock delivered off the broom and toward the side away from the target.

During a game, sweepers might call out numbers. These numbers indicate how far the sweepers think the rock in play will travel. With this system, the sweepers can communicate more effectively where they think the stone will end up or the skip can better tell the deliverer how hard to throw it.

1 to 3 indicates a rock in the free guard zone
4 to 6 indicate the front of the tee line
7 is the tee line
8 to 10 indicate the rings behind the tee line
11 is sometimes used to indicate a stone thrown through and out of play

This system is relatively new to the game and is often attributed to the Randy Ferbey rink because they were the first major team to use the system, but it is not known whose idea it originally was.

Contact info, social media, and memberships

Address

Cedar Rapids Ice Arena

1100 Rockford Rd SW

Cedar Rapids, IA 52404

Email

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Websites

www.cedarrapidscurling.com

member login: https://cedarrapidscurling.com/index.php/cb-login

Social media

Facebook:

Cedar Rapids Curling Club (Page): facebook.com/cedarrapidscurling
Cedar Rapids CC Virtual Warm Room (group, request to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/796290753736946
Midwest Curling Association Warm Room (group, request to join): https://www.facebook.com/groups/1773683502846690

Twitter: @crcurlingclub

Instagram: @crcurlingclub

Cedar Rapids Curling memberships

Midwest Curling Association: www.midwestcurling.com

USA Curling: www.usacurling.org

United States Women’s Curling Association (USWCA): www.uswca.org