“Sturling” Leagues Now Forming

PHOTO: Whether you deliver by stick or slide, there’s a place for you in sturling. New ‘sturling’ format allows for more social distancing by reducing team size from four to two players.

Lakes Region Curling offers a better-distancing option for Fall
In place of standard four-on-four curling, Lakes Region Curling will run a sturling program this Fall in order to provide a less-congested playing environment. The program will run for eight Sundays from Oct. 10 to Dec. 13 at Pop Whalen Ice Arena in Wolfeboro.
Sturling is a variation of curling that involves teams of two instead of four. During a match, one player from each team stands at opposing ends of the curling sheet. Sweeping is limited, and players never cross the middle of the sheet.
Sturling reduces the number of players on the ice by at least half, and the limited sweeping reduces the exertion required during a match. The game provides more opportunity than a standard curling match to develop the skill of delivering a stone. It also gives every player the chance to learn strategy.
Information about sturling can be found on the LRCA web site at lakescurlingnh.org.
The first sturling matches of each scheduled date will take place 4:50 p.m. Matches will last an hour, and teams will be randomly assigned each week. This will provide an opportunity to play with and against members of all skill levels and to emphasize the LRCA’s focus on having a good time during these trying times.
Cost of the eight-week season is $175, and both registration and waiver forms are available on the LRCA web site. Curlers are urged to register early.
In keeping with state and local protocols, curlers will be required to wear masks and observe social distancing while in Pop Whalen ice arena. Rules for the use of the arena are intended to keep participants from different programs such as hockey and public skating from mixing with curlers.