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In Curling two teams of four players deliver round stones across a measured distance of ice to a marked target area, or house. One point is scored for each stone inside the house and closer to its centre, than any opponents stone.

Location
As a winter Olympic sport it is played through out the world, traditionally more common in the northern hemisphere, and most popular in the Nordic countries, North America and Scotland.

Age
Curling commonly referred to as chess on ice, because of the high level of strategic thinking necessary may be played by any age provided they have obtained a level of learning to implement the tactical thinking of the game.

Description
An area of ice 46yds long by 14ft wide, with two target circles (houses) 38yds apart, the houses are normally marked by blue outer and red inner circles. the ice is marked with a foot line, a back line, a sweeping line and a hog line, at each end of the ice. Stones are made from highly polished granite, measuring not more than 36in circumference or less than 4.5in high, and they must not weigh more than 44lbs. A team consists of a lead, a number two, a number three and a captain (Skip).

Dedication
A teams order of play is decided by the skip, the order must remain the same throughout the match. Each player has two stones which must be played alternately with the opponents. The stone must be delivered from the hack and released before the crossing the hog line. When all stones have been played , the end is complete and the score taken. The scoring side gains one point for each stone inside the house and closer to the centre than any of the opponents stones.

Potential
There are national competitions as a potential to aim at competing in, for the elite teams and players there are many international competitions held annually. Every players ultimate dream must be to compete in the four yearly held Winter Olympics.

Closely Related Activities
Curling is very similar to bowls or bocce, the difference being, curling is played on ice.

Cost
Costs for Curling include the team cost of hiring the ice, brooms hack(launch mat) and dolly if used. and The individuals costs include, club membership, specialised shoes and a set of two stones, a second hand upgraded stone will cost from ?120 upwards, two stones are necessary. Stones can often be hired from the ice rink.

Level of Demand
The table below shows the maximum levels of demand that this activity requires. NOTE: These are not entry levels or levels of requirement and has nothing to do with ability.

Energy

Arms

Legs

Sight

Hearing

Speech

Learning

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