Curling

Product copy

Curling Handbook
1975-76

Preface

From time to time during the second half of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth, particularly in 1872 and 1928, efforts were made to establish a curling association that would be representative at the national level of all provincial and other regional curling organizations, but it was not until 1935 that the circumstances were sufficiently favourable and the Dominion Curling Association was founded.

In order that the Association’s name might be more meaningful at the international level, it was changed in 1968 by substituting “Canadian” for “Dominion”.

Then, in 1972, the CCA was constituted a corporation under the Canada Corporations Act with the following general objects:

(a) To foster and to assist provincial curling associations and private Curling Clubs in fostering the game of curling in Canada;

(b) To act as a national authoritative body for the purpose of establishing and enforcing uniformity in the rules of the game of curling in Canada and for settling questions and disputes arising therein;

(c) To cultivate fraternal relations with other curling associations (national and international) and preserve the traditions as exemplified by The Royal Caledonian Curling Club of Scotland;

(d) To promote, arrange, conduct and control Canadian and International curling championships and matches;

(e) To play the game for the game’s sake without thought of material reward.

At the 1975 annual meeting of the CCA a special subcommittee of the Rules Committee was appointed to review the Rules of the Game as to form-not as to substance-and to have the revision drafted and published. This edition of the handbook is the result. The sub-committee consisted of Lachlan MacTavish, Q.C. of Toronto, Arthur N. Lamb of Lachine, and the Rules Committee Chairman. The CCA is deeply indebted to these gentlemen for their fine efforts.

This handbook is the latest of a series of booklets that have been prepared by the CCA and printed and distributed throughout Canada and elsewhere by the Bank of Montreal. The CCA and curlers everywhere are most grateful to the Bank of Montreal for its continued support and co-operation in this enterprise.

The Spirit of Curling

Curling is a game of skill and of traditions. A shot well executed is a delight to see and so, too, it is 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 would prefer to lose rather than win unfairly.

A good curler never attempts to distract an opponent or otherwise prevent him from playing his best.

No curler ever deliberately breaks a rule of the game or any of its traditions. But, if he should do so inadvertently and be aware of it, he is the first to divulge the breach.

While the main object of a game of curling is to determine the relative skill of the players, the spirit of the game demands good sportsmanship, kindly feeling and honourable conduct. This spirit should influence both the interpretation and application of the rules of the game and also the conduct of all participants on and off the ice.

These principles of gentlemanly play have long been fostered by the Royal Caledonian Curling Club, the Mother Club in Scotland, are enthusiastically endorsed by the Canadian Curling Association, and are recommended by it to its member associations in the expectation that the traditions of the grand old game of curling will continue to be observed by all who curl, beginners and experts alike.

—
Copies of this handbook may be obtained free from your Provincial Curling Association or at any branch of The First Canadian Bank Bank of Montreal.