24 January 2025
World Curling Equipment Update
Following extensive reviews on the information presented regarding the new style of foam recently approved for competition, World Curling have determined that all approved equipment remains within scope and no products will be removed from use in the field of play.
The review included the ongoing compliance testing of equipment used on ice at competition and purchased from commercial sources. Following the update to the specifications made in June 2024, the most recent tests were carried out on equipment gathered before the end of December 2024.
With the approval of the manufacturers involved, these testing numbers have now been released. These numbers show that all products tested are within approved specifications.
The full breakdown of these numbers can be accessed here.
Members of the World Curling Athlete Commission worked with players at the recent Grand Slam of Curling event in Guelph, Canada to organise on-ice evaluations and conduct a brief review of the impact of the new and existing products.
Following analysis of the data and accompanying videos, the review provided no conclusive observations that would warrant the removal of any currently approved equipment.
Based on the on-ice evaluations from Guelph, World Curling will be sharing a series of protocols and video recording instructions with the athletes. This will allow them to conduct similar evaluations at their home facilities, then share their observations with World Curling and the Athlete Commission.
All equipment will continue to be monitored and evaluated. Should it be necessary, and with evidence to warrant the action, World Curling retain the right to suspend approval for items being used in the field of play.
Our Athlete Commission will continue to work with players to establish guidelines about what the limits should be in respect to the impact of sweeping in the sport.
World Curling will organise a brush testing forum in 2025 incorporating our elite-level athletes and scientific testing processes. This forum will give our athletes an opportunity to test the equipment in a scientific environment, use their experience to aid us in shaping the future testing protocols of that equipment and review any potential modifications to our equipment specifications before their implementation.
World Curling will also continue to work with the academic community and various stakeholders from within the curling community to improve equipment standards and make our equipment approval process more robust.
