trycurling.com
What TryCurling.com is and who it’s for
TryCurling.com is a booking-and-information site built around one simple job: help the public find beginner-friendly curling sessions and connect directly with a local ice rink running them. It’s positioned as the first step in a wider “curling pathway,” so it isn’t just “come once and leave,” it’s designed to move people from a taster into structured beginner learning and then into clubs if they want to keep playing.
The site is tied closely to Scottish Curling (the national governing body for curling in Scotland) and is described by Scottish Curling as a platform they provide so rinks can promote “Try Curling” and beginner programmes, while the public can find sessions and book locally.
If you’re a complete beginner, someone who watched curling during the Winter Olympics and got curious, a parent looking for junior sessions, or you need inclusive options like wheelchair or disability sessions, the structure of the site makes that kind of “what can I book near me?” decision pretty fast.
How the site is laid out
TryCurling.com is organized around a few core navigation paths:
- Book a session / sessions listing: a live-style catalogue showing upcoming sessions with dates, times, locations, and (when relevant) prices and availability. You’ll see listings that include “FULL” when capacity is gone, which is useful because beginners’ blocks can fill up.
- Learn: pages that explain what “Try Curling” is, what happens in a session, and what comes next if you want to continue.
- Join: “Find a rink” and “Find a club” tools that push you toward regular participation once you’ve tried the sport.
- About: a plain explanation of the pathway concept and some quick stats about the programme footprint (the site cites 21 rinks and 500+ sessions).
- News & events / events hub: a category view of session types and updates.
That layout matters because curling can be confusing for newcomers. People don’t always know whether they should book a one-off taster, a multi-week course, or something adapted. The site nudges you through that decision without forcing you to understand the sport first.
The “Try Curling” taster sessions: what you actually get
The entry-level product on the site is the Try Curling session. These are described as a stand-alone taster, usually around an hour, built to introduce basic skills and how the game works. Many sessions are listed as free (though not all), and the site frames them as accessible for people who simply want to give it a go.
Age guidance is also spelled out: some Try Curling sessions are positioned as suitable for anyone over age 8. That’s a small detail, but it’s the kind of thing families need before they bother clicking around.
There’s also a practical emphasis on delivery quality: sessions are delivered by qualified coaches (the site specifically references Scottish Curling-qualified delivery for these programmes). You’re not just paying for ice time, you’re paying for somebody to teach the basics safely and in a way that doesn’t scare you off.
“Become a Curler”: the next step after the taster
Where TryCurling.com gets more useful than a simple rink directory is what it does after the first visit. It clearly promotes a second stage called Become a Curler, which is presented as a more structured beginner programme.
On the “What to Expect” breakdown, Become a Curler includes warm-up, instruction and support on the curling delivery, learning grip/rotation/release, coaching for sweeping technique, and guidance on rules, etiquette, and scoring. It also mentions learning skip signals and basic tactics, plus drills and game-play opportunities.
Some session listings show Become a Curler delivered as a four-week course (“4 weekly sessions”), explicitly moving you from complete beginner to someone ready for beginner clubs and real games.
This is the part most first-timers underestimate. In curling, you can “try it” in a single session, but you won’t feel comfortable until you repeat the movement patterns and learn the flow of ends, scoring, and teamwork. The site’s pathway approach is basically built around that reality.
Equipment, clothing, and the friction points beginners worry about
TryCurling.com does a decent job reducing the classic beginner anxiety: “What do I need to bring?”
For Become a Curler, the site says equipment is supplied, including brushes and sliders, which removes a major barrier.
The “Find a rink” guidance also sets expectations about the seasonality of curling, noting that it typically runs from late September to early April, with variation by rink. That helps people understand why sessions may appear clustered in certain months.
In practice, this kind of information saves time. If you’re new, you don’t want to message three clubs and wait two days to find out you need special gear or that the rink is closed for the season. The site makes those constraints visible earlier.
Inclusivity and session variety (more than just standard taster sessions)
The events area shows that “Try Curling” on this platform isn’t a single format. Session categories include:
- Try Curling sessions
- Become a Curler
- Junior Try Curling
- Wheelchair Try Curling
- Disability Try Curling
- Floor curling
- Off-ice events
Even if you never book through the site, this list alone is helpful because it signals that curling isn’t just one narrow competitive lane. There are different entry points depending on age, mobility, and whether you want to be on ice or start with floor curling.
Booking flow and how it connects to local rinks and clubs
TryCurling.com works as a centralized discovery layer. You browse sessions, then book into specific offerings attached to specific rinks or local organizers (you’ll see names like Curl Dundee, Curl Edinburgh, Border Ice Rink, Dundee Ice Arena in listings).
After that, the site’s “Find a club” section is basically the bridge from learning to regular play. It explains that clubs are the best route if you want to continue, meet other players, and develop, and it notes that clubs operate during the season window, depending on rink times.
This “session → course → club” ladder is the core idea. The About page even frames Try Curling as stage one, followed by Become a Curler and a Gateway Club at your local rink.
What TryCurling.com does well (and where it may feel limited)
Strengths
- It makes curling discoverable without already being “in the community,” which is a real hurdle in niche sports.
- The pathway is clear: taste first, then learn properly, then join a club if you’re hooked.
- It reduces beginner friction with clear expectations (session content, supplied equipment, season timing).
- It supports multiple formats (junior, wheelchair, disability, floor/off-ice), which signals broader access.
Possible limitations
- The coverage is heavily Scotland/UK-oriented (the site and Scottish Curling framing make that clear), so it’s not the right tool if you’re trying to find sessions in North America or mainland Europe.
- As with any central listing site, the quality and freshness of individual session pages depends on local organizers keeping details updated.
Key takeaways
- TryCurling.com is a centralized way to find and book beginner curling sessions, built around moving people from a taster into structured learning and then clubs.
- Try Curling sessions are often about an hour and designed as an easy first step; many are free, depending on location.
- Become a Curler is the “learn it properly” stage, covering delivery, sweeping, rules, etiquette, and basic tactics.
- Equipment like brushes and sliders is supplied for at least some beginner programming, reducing barriers for first-timers.
- The site highlights different participation formats, including junior and wheelchair/disability options.
FAQ
Is TryCurling.com only for Scotland?
It’s primarily framed through Scottish Curling and lists rinks and clubs in that context, so it’s best understood as Scotland/UK-focused rather than a global directory.
How long is a typical Try Curling session?
The site describes many Try Curling taster sessions as lasting approximately one hour, though actual listings can vary by venue.
Do I need to buy equipment before my first session?
For the beginner pathway, the site states that equipment is supplied, including brushes and sliders (at least for Become a Curler), so you can usually start without buying specialist gear.
What’s the difference between “Try Curling” and “Become a Curler”?
Try Curling is the quick introduction. Become a Curler is more structured coaching that goes deeper into technique (delivery and sweeping), plus rules, etiquette, scoring, and basic tactics.
Are there options for wheelchair users or people who prefer not to start on ice?
The events categories include Wheelchair Try Curling, Disability Try Curling, and Floor Curling, which suggests multiple entry routes depending on access needs and comfort.
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