To pick a curling broom, first consider your skill level. Beginners should start with a lightweight broom with a fiberglass or wood handle. Once you become a more experienced curler, you can invest in a state-of-the-art broom with a carbon fiber handle. Second, consider your strength and fitness level. Brooms with wooden handles are usually heavier, which makes them more tiring to use. So, a light, comfortable broom is a great starting point for almost every curler. However, if you feel more comfortable with a heavier broom, trust your instincts. Each curler has their own unique preferences.
Consider Your Level of Experience
Before diving into specific features, it’s essential to consider your level of experience and commitment to the sport. Are you a beginner, a recreational player, or a competitive curler? Your skill level and dedication to the game will determine the type of broom that best suits your needs.
- Beginners: If you’re new to curling or only play occasionally, you may not need a high-end broom with all the bells and whistles. A more affordable option with a fiberglass handle and a basic synthetic brush head will suffice.
- Recreational players: If you play regularly and want to improve your sweeping technique, investing in a better-quality broom might be worth it. Consider a broom with a lightweight handle, such as carbon fiber, and a more effective brush head, such as one with horsehair or hybrid bristles.
- Competitive curlers: If you’re serious about the sport and participate in competitions, a top-quality broom is essential. Opt for a broom with a lightweight and rigid carbon fiber handle, as well as a high-performance brush head to maximize your sweeping efficiency.
Choose the Right Handle Material
The handle is a crucial component of a curling broom. It needs to be strong, lightweight, and comfortable to hold. The three primary materials used for handles are wood, fiberglass, and carbon fiber.
- Wood: Wooden handles are durable and reliable but tend to be heavier than other options. They may be suitable for beginners or those who prefer a more traditional feel.
- Fiberglass: Fiberglass handles are lighter than wood and provide a good balance between weight and durability. They are popular among recreational curlers and those on a budget.
- Carbon fiber: Carbon fiber handles are the lightest and most rigid option, offering excellent performance for competitive curlers. They are more expensive than wood or fiberglass handles, but their superior strength and lightness make them worth the investment.
Select the Appropriate Broom Head
The broom head is responsible for creating the friction needed to manipulate the ice surface. There are two primary types of broom heads: the traditional corn/straw broom and the modern synthetic brush.
- Corn/Straw Broom: These brooms are less efficient at reducing friction and can cause more wear on the ice. They are not the best choice for most curlers today.
- Synthetic Brush: Synthetic brushes are more effective at reducing friction and are the standard choice for modern curlers. When selecting a synthetic brush head, consider the type of bristles, such as nylon, horsehair, or hybrid options. Each offers different advantages in terms of ice friction reduction and durability.
Additional Factors to Consider
When choosing a broom amongst curling equipment, you should also consider the following factors:
- Broom weight: A lighter broom will reduce fatigue during sweeping and allow for more precise control.
- Handle length: The handle should be long enough to comfortably reach the ice while standing upright, but not so long that it becomes unwieldy.
- Grip comfort: Some broom handles feature ergonomic grips or padding to improve comfort and reduce hand fatigue.
How to Select a Curling Broom
Selecting the right curling broom involves considering your level of experience, the handle material, the broom head type. Here’s how to choose the best curling broom for you:
- If you are a beginner, start with an inexpensive broom with a fiberglass or wood handle and synthetic bristles.
- As you become more advanced, consider a broom with a specialized carbon fiber handle and a hybrid head that mixes synthetic and natural bristles.
- Choose a broom that is comfortable to hold—some brooms have comfort grips.
- Make sure your broom is not too long to wield or too short to sweep with while standing upright.
- Remember—the heavier the broom, the more tired you will get while sweeping.
- Beginners should avoid brooms with traditional straw or corn bristles—they are less effective than modern brooms.
We always recommend that new curlers start by borrowing brooms from friends and teammates, if possible. Using a variety of brooms will help you get a feel for what you enjoy using and what is most comfortable. Since curling brooms come in a variety of styles, it’s worth testing out more than one.
