Hello,
We’re still a little sad that the National Championships were canceled earlier this month, but we’re so grateful for everyone who worked so hard behind the scenes to make what was sure to be a great experience for athletes and spectators, and for everyone who had signed up to volunteer during the event. You all are why we curl!
But there is a lot of exciting stuff coming up! With curling about to take the world stage in the Olympics, we have an amazing opportunity to grow our sport—but we need everyone’s help to make this Olympic-bump season a success.
Sign up to volunteer for Olympic-bump events
We currently have seven Learn-to-Curl events and a 3-week mini-camp on the calendar in February and March.
Because we will have so many Learn-to-Curl events before, during, and after the Olympics, we have moved volunteer sign-up to Sign-up Genius instead of our website. This way, you can sign up for multiple dates at once, instead of having to sign up for each one individually on our site.
If you happen to go to our event registration page and are signed in, you will see an event for “Volunteering During Olympics.” This will direct you to the Sign-up Genius page.
REMINDER: Don't forget to sign a raffle ticket each time you volunteer. The raffle ticket book is in the freezer shed above the rocks. Volunteer five times before April and you will automatically get a fabulous gift. In addition, every time you volunteer, your name will go into a raffle for several big prizes (including gift cards to Steve’s Curling—because who doesn’t need a new broom or shoes?) at the end of the season.
Let's watch Olympic curling together
Our Olympic committee is working to put together a few Olympic curling watch parties.
Join us at 7 p.m. Feb. 16 at Big Grove Brewery in Iowa City to watch the men's team take on Denmark on their giant screen. Spread the word and bring your family and friends!
We also are working to set up a time to watch the women play at Thew Brewing in Cedar Rapids. We'll let you know the details ASAP!
One billboard up and one still to come
If you’re driving down Highway 6 (aka Coralville Strip) near Appleby’s in Coralville this month, you might see some familiar faces on the side of the road! Next month, you can catch Martha and Parker on Blairs Ferry Road in Cedar Rapids.
The goal of the billboards is to raise awareness of the opportunity to curl in Corridor and drive traffic to our Olympic Learn-to-Curl events.
Sign up for spring league and pick-up games
Along with lots of chances to volunteer this winter/spring, we also plan to actually curl ourselves!
Sign-up is open for an 8-week league April 5-May 24.
We also will have pick-up games March 15, 22, and 29 after our new curler mini-camp sessions. Volunteers are welcome to stay and play for free, and it will be $12 for anyone else who wants to join.
Please register whether you are volunteering or not so we have a list of people who plan to play.
(You must be logged in to register.)
Call for CedarSpiel committee members
Our 2022 CedarSpiel is scheduled for Aug. 12-14.
If you want to be part of the planning process, email Kari Kozak (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.). We want to get the ball rolling, so don't wait! This is a great opportunity for newer club members to see and help behind the scenes.
Check out these two FREE bonspiels
The Midwest Curling Association hosts several bonspiels throughout the year that are FREE for Cedar Rapids Curling members. These are great opportunities to play on dedicated ice.
The Five Year & Under Bonspiel that was scheduled for this month at Waltham Curling club has been rescheduled for April 9-10 at Chicago Curling Club. This is open to any curler who started curling in fall 2016 or later. (The 2020-21 season doesn't count due to COVID-19.) Find more information.
The Dar Curtis Bonspiel has been rescheduled for May 28-29 at Windy City Curling Club. The Dar Curtis is meant for players to currently curl as leads or twos or newer vice skips to allow them a chance to curl with their peers and try out their own strategies in a fun environment. Find more information.
If you're looking for team members for either spiel, throw a thread on the Cedar Rapids CC Virtual Warm Room Facebook group page or chat with people at league!
Save the date for MCA arena championships
Cedar Rapids Curling is partnering with the Midwest Curling Association to host an MCA Arena Championship May 14-15 at ImOn Ice. More information will be coming, but any team from an arena club in the MCA is invited to play, so start putting your teams together!
COVID-19 protocol update
The Cedar Rapids Curling Board has decided to maintain our current COVID-19 protocol during all CRC events:
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. 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 Cedar Rapids Curling 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.
Curling tip of the month
It’s messy outside this time of the year and we don’t want to bring that mess onto the ice. So, let’s talk about how to keep the ice clean and playable:
- Shoes used outdoors should not be worn on the ice.
- Avoid wearing clothing that sheds fuzzies or other materials.
- Clean your broom head off of the playing ice, not over it.
- Lift your 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.
Have something you'd like to see included or always wondered about? It could be anything from tips on play, etiquette, or whatever is on your mind. Email Emily Nelson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
CRC on the road
Four Cedar Rapids Curling teams played in the Mixed Doubles on the Rocks Bonspiel in Pardeeville, Wisconsin. Congrats to Emily and Cale for winning the 4th event!
Congrats to Phil, Greg, Cale, and Bryan for taking third place in the open division of the Broom Snapper Bonspiel at Aberdeen Curling Club!
Al, Kirby, Mark, and Ryan traveled this past weekend to the Twin Cities for the Big Spiel, where they made it to the semifinals of the 4th event. Congrats, friends!
