Press News & Events

Ice making volunteers needed for 2012 Nationals
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
USCA Head Ice Technologist Dave Staveteig is in need of approximately 10 volunteers to assist with the ice preparation for the 2012 USA Curling Men’s and Women’s Nationals in Philadelphia (IceWorks Arena, Aston, Penn.). The preparations will begin late Monday night, Feb. 6, and continue through Friday, Feb. 10. Once competition begins, ice making volunteers will be needed each day from about 6 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., through the championship games Feb. 18.

You may register as a volunteer on the Philadelphia Nationals website, or send an email stating the dates and times you are available to rick.patzke@usacurl.org.

http://2012usacurlingnationals.com/volunteer/

Optional sign-up for Club Nationals
Friday, November 11, 2011
The published registration deadline for the Club Nationals is November 30. We have received a request to allow an option to the States and regions for a later registration deadline for the Club Nationals. We are prepared to accommodate that request, with some conditions.

The optional second deadline will be January 11, 2012. The State or Regional president will need to let us know by November 29 whether their State or Region wishes to use the optional later date. Please note that for purposes of filling a vacancy in one or more regions, which is determined by the number of teams in a region that register for the Club Championship, we will use only the number of teams that are signed up from all regions as of November 30. The reason for this is that we have several regions playing down in December, and we need to let them know how many spots they will be playing down for, based on the fill policy. At the same time, we would like to see maximum participation in the Club Championships, which have become one of our most popular events.

Teams in consideration as of the November 30th deadline must be completely registered for the Club Nationals; according to the 2011-2012 USCA Championships Rules and Procedures manual, this is a full four-person (minimum) roster of eligible and registered players plus payment in full received by 11:59 p.m.

You must let the USCA know, in writing, if your state or regions wants to take advantage of the later deadline in order to give teams in your area more time to form. Your request for the optional later date must be sent to Dawn Leurquin, USCA Event Services Manager, at entries@usacurl.org or fax to 715-344-2279. Please use the subject line “CLUB NATIONALS DATE.” If no written request is received from your state or region by 5:00 p.m. Central Time on November 29, the original registration deadline of November 30 will apply for your state or region.

Jim Pleasants, Vice-president of Championships

Shop for holiday gifts at USA Curling online store
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Looking for a gift for the curler on your list? Start shopping: http://shop.curlingrocks.net/

You may also want to consider a membership in the USA Curling Fan Club: http://www.usacurl.org/usacurl/images/Fans/fanclub2011.pdf

Proposed by-laws now posted online
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Proposed bylaws: http://www.curlingrocks.net/sites/default/files/press_pdf/proposed_bylaw...

Have questions about the potential changes in governance? http://www.usacurl.org/usacurl//images//faq_governance.pdf

Competitive discussion (added 11/4/11): http://www.usacurl.org/usacurl//images//competitive_discussion.pdf

Icemaking clinic planned in Duluth
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Registration is now open for the Level 1 U.S. Curling Association Ice Technician Certification Course to be held at the Duluth Curling Club in Duluth, Minn., Dec. 3-4. Please click on the following link to be directed to online registration system:

http://www.sportssignup.com/United-States-Curling-Association-Online-Reg...

Click on the Login/Register button on the top of the screen to register. New users will be directed to create an account.

This certification is equivalent to Level 1 Canadian Curling Association (CCA) standards, and all participants will receive a copy of the ice technician manual used to teach the course. The instructors will be Mark Shurek and Greg Ewasko (both Level 4 CCA ice technicians).

The course will start at approximately 9 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 3, and end at approximately 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 4. Topics covered will include:

• Development of the game and its demands on curling ice, specific definition of curling ice, and game tactics

• Floors of a curling rink and shooting (taking) levels

• Measuring and painting lines and logos

• Ice installation (off-ice discussion and hands-on practical experience)

• Ice layout

• More practical work (measuring sheets, cutting circles, painting logos, installing lines and hacks, pebbling, scraping, sealing, etc.)

• Maintaining the ice pad, contouring ice, and overview

• Temperatures, humidity, permafrost, heaving, water and ice quality

• Control systems

• Curling stones, ice plants, and refrigeration

• Level 1 test

The course fee is $225 for participants who are members of the U.S. Curling Association. Non-member registration is $275. (Membership status of all participants will be checked upon registration. The additional $50 surcharge for non-members will be assessed prior to participation for any non-members registering at the membership rate.) A $15 late fee will be added to entries received after Sunday, November 27, 2011.

Participation is limited to 30 people (may be reduced to 25 depending upon available space). Hotel information will be provided as part of the registration process.

Please feel free to contact Kim Nawyn at USA Curling at 1-888-CURLERS (287-5377) or 715-344-1199, Ext. 203, with any questions.

Want to volunteer at the USA Curling office?
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
The USA Curling national office in Stevens Point, Wis., is seeking volunteers to assist with a variety of projects. If interested, follow this link: http://www.usacurl.org/usacurl//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&i...