Registered: Dec 2013
Location: Halifax
Posts: 59

Just throwing this out there--I'm a recreational curler, playing two nights a week, at front-end positions. At the level of recreational curling I'm reasonably fit and take sweeping seriously. I use a Hardline broom, and have both the original cover (and plastic insert) and also the new WCF-sanctioned cover. Over the last few weeks and games I've tried various combinations, and found, just through game play:

1) Original cover + insert is very discernibly more effective than any other set up. This is the configuration that is fully banned at the WCF-level. I can definitely make the rock over-curl with this set-up, and I'm no Ben Hebert.

2) Original cover without insert: effective

3) WCF-sanctioned cover, without insert: effective but less so. Gets dirty and wears quickly.

So even for club play it seems clear that: abrasive fabric + stiffening insert has significant sweeping advantage; abrasive fabric without insert is good; WCF fabric is least effective but still ok.

I think at the club level, the plastic stiffener is the biggest impact piece of the Hardline. I think if there were to be club-level "rules" for equipment, a reasonable one would be any fabric allowed, but no stiffeners or ridges or foil backing. I don't know about hair brooms, never having used one. Although one could make a case for banning them just to keep the ice cleaner.

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Registered: Feb 2011
Location:
Posts: 96

jzwanzig. That's impossible your not an "elite" curler. LOL

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Registered: Sep 2002
Location: vernon bc
Posts: 2340

Lol Curlrock! Yeah, more than a few idiots here will jump on jzanwig for daring to claim they, a lowly recreational curlers, can directional sweep with effectiveness!

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When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro.
Hunter S. Thompson

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Registered: Dec 2015
Location:
Posts: 38

I want to know if the new performance "spider" works as it claims. Can't wait to see how it works for team Dunstone once it's approved.

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Registered: Jul 2008
Location: Canada
Posts: 23

I am a 2 night per week recreational/semi-competitive curler as well. I would not have a problem with the idea of removing the insert either. the material is a completely different story. The effectiveness of the new material is less effective than the coated one-which is OK by me.But it wears out faster than anything I have ever used before (2-3 games max).

At 22 bucks a pop for the compliant material, I would have to spend
close to $450 just for league play; not to mention bonspiels, zones, etc.

This is ridiculous! My team does not get free sponsored equipment, but I think we should be able to use effective brushing equipment without having to spend hundreds of dollars every season. Imagine the golf industry where recreational players would have to buy a new set of clubs twice per year because the ones we already own will wear out and our driving distance would be reduced by half if we don't pony-up.

I bought the Hardline broom in the first place because the covers last almost a full season. Heck even the old Asham/Performance/Olson heads from 5 years ago last far longer than the crappy material they are asking us to buy now.

Last edited by dnero on 11-04-16 at 12:42PM

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