13 January 2025
Statement: Sweeping equipment concerns and review process
World Curling acknowledge the statement published today by members of the curling community participating in the Grand Slam of Curling event in Guelph, Canada, regarding their concerns around specific brush heads being used in competition.
World Curling strive to ensure that our equipment regulations ensure a fair and clear approval process for our athletes and suppliers. While all current foams and brush heads currently in the field of play have been approved based on our current specifications, as advised in June 2024, we acknowledge the need for a full review of the Specification for Sweeping Equipment.
To this end, World Curling have been continually monitoring the current situation and have already engaged with the academic community and experts in the field to review methods of assessing and monitoring brush head construction and the impact they have on the field of play.
We recognise that this is a larger discussion than which foam being used — the matter driving concerns at the moment — and will continue to engage with both the scientific, athlete communities and other stakeholders as we progress.
World Curling have begun the process of planning an updated sweeping summit as one aspect of this full review. While a study is also underway in partnership with the University of Saskatchewan.
The World Curling Athlete’s Commission membership increased following the 2024 Annual General Assembly, to include more athletes competing in Grand Slam of Curling events. Four members of the newly expanded Commission will be onsite at the upcoming event in Guelph, and we would encourage the teams and athletes competing to engage with them regarding their concerns on this and any other issue. Any concerns, feedback or questions can also be sent to the Athlete Commission using the email address [email protected].
Whilst the foams under discussion are within the current specifications, World Curling will continue to monitor and test equipment to ensure the impact of all current approved brushes are within allowed specification and adhere to all fairness and integrity concerns of the curling community.
