Newsletter - September 2021

Hello,

The 2021-22 season starts in less than two weeks!

Help needed to move equipment Saturday

We are looking for people to help from 8 to 10 a.m. Saturday to move stones and equipment in preparation for curling on the Olympic side in a couple weeks. We'll be moving freezers and stones, but we also have light-duty tasks for those who are saving their backs.

As a bonus, you'll get a sneak peek at our new storage system!

Please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you can help so that we can communicate if there are any changes.

Pick-up games Sept. 7 canceled

Due to low registration, we have had to cancel the Sept. 7 pick-up games.

Fall league deadline approaching

Our 10-week fall league starts Sept. 21. Deadline to sign up is Sept. 15 to give the league coordinator time to form teams and set the schedule. What are you waiting for?!

Updates and notes regarding CedarSpiel

Hotel rooms available

Want to make CedarSpiel a little getaway? We have five rooms available for Saturday night at the DoubleTree in downtown Cedar Rapids for $119 each. We had If you're interested, mail Kari Kozak (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Be the first to try cut-throat

Have you heard Phil Burian talk about cut-throat curling, the game he has invented? We're going to give it a try after CedarSpiel ends at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12. Stick around and try it out before we have to give the ice back at 5 p.m.! There also may be room on extra sheets for a regular pick-up game if you're interested.

Volunteers needed

We will need assistance throughout CedarSpiel weekend (Sept. 10-12) to ensure everything runs smoothly. If you are able to volunteer, please email Kari Kozak (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Times we will need help:

Friday

9 p.m. to midnight (flood)

Saturday

6:30 to 10:30 a.m. (morning ice prep/shaving)
Between each draw (draw times below) and especially between 4 to 5 p.m. (re-pebble)

Sunday

6:30 to 9 a.m. (ice prep)
4 p.m. (clean-up)

Times of draws:

Saturday: 10:30 a.m., 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., 8 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m., 11:30 a.m.

Sign up to volunteer at Learn to Curl

Our first Learn to Curl is Sept. 14 and we need your help. You don't have to be an expert curler to help at these events. We have lots of things for people to help with!

Sign up (you have to be logged in) at https://cedarrapidscurling.com/index.php/calendar/event-listings?task=register.register&eventId=484

Reminder about COVID-19 protocol

Cedar Rapids Curling continues to take direction regarding COVID-19 policies from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Linn County Public Health (LCPH) professionals. With the delta variant taking off around the country, the CDC recommends indoor masking in counties with “substantial” or “high” coronavirus transmission. Because Linn County currently has a high level of transmission, we will require masks during play for our upcoming CedarSpiel, fall league, instructional league, and Learn to Curl events until CDC and LCPH guidance changes. Normal curling rules will apply other than current masking requirements.

We will continue to monitor the situation and will make adjustments to our policies as necessary. We appreciate your understanding and willingness to keep our curling and wider community safe and healthy.

Who wants to go to a FREE bonspiel?

The Prairie State Challenge will take place Oct. 30-21 at the Chicago Curling Club and Exmoor Country Club. This bonspiel is FREE for Cedar Rapids Curling members and a great opportunity to play on dedicated ice at two very nice facilities.

Registration is not yet open, but keep an eye on the Midwest Curling Association website for more information. https://www.midwestcurling.com/

If you're looking for team members, throw a thread on the Cedar Rapids CC Virtual Warm Room Facebook group page or chat with people at league!

Curling tip of the month

As we start the 2021-22 curling season, we'd like to introduce a new feature. Future items may include tips on play, etiquette, or whatever strikes our fancy. Having something you'd like to see included or always wondered about something? Email Emily Nelson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

For our first month, let's take a look at the Spirit of Curling, as adopted from the World Curling Federation:

"Curling is a game of skill and of tradition. A shot well-executed is a delight to see, and it is also a fine thing to observe the time-honoured traditions of curling being applied in the true spirit of the game. Curlers play to win, but never to humble their opponents. A true curler never attempts to distract opponents, nor to prevent them from playing their best, and would prefer to lose rather than to win unfairly. Curlers never knowingly break a rule of the game, nor disrespect any of its traditions. Should they become aware that this has been done inadvertently, they will be the first to divulge the breach. While the main object of the game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of curling demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honorable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and the application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice."

CRC on the road

Three teams from Cedar Rapids competed last weekend in the Windy City Food Truck Spiel in Villa Park, Illinois. Special congrats to Anne Fairchild and Kari Kozak for winning second place in the fourth-event when they subbed in for another team.