This week Dale Neufeld, who writes the Curling by the Numbers Substack, joins the show to talk about his new app Ice Intel. In the app you can track linescores, keep a rock book, and even calculate player shooting percentages. You can also use the split times to keep track of rocks, which includes predictive AI that will give an estimated weight call based on the split times, which adjusts to the specific ice conditions during your game. The app is current available on the Apple App Store. For Android users, you can reach out to Dale if you want to test the app before it is available publicly.
Summer News Update
We're back after a bit of a break to discuss the latest news in the world of curling. From Sportsnet and CBC signing a new deal with the Slams to the new high performance program at Curling Canada to the sport going to a single rulebook, we go around the sport to catch up on all the goings on.
For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
10 Reasons Curling is So Popular
In going through so old stuff, Sean found a copy of The Complete Idiot's Guide to Curling, which opens with a list of the 10 reasons why curling is so popular. Originally printed in 1998, we go through the list to see which ones still hold up, which ones are out of date, and which ones are right on the money.
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Scottish Shakeup & Curling's Best Rivalries
This past week saw a major shakeup as Grant Hardie announced that he was leaving Team Mouat and joining forces with Ross Whyte, thus creating what should be a fun rivalry for the next quad. We break down the implications for both new teams and how that will shape the landscape of Scottish men's curling before turning our attention to the best rivalries in the sport and which matchups we are most looking forward to over the next four years.
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15 Ways to be a Popular Curler
When going through some old files, Sean came across a rather interesting parody document from the 1980s or 1990s offering some tips on how to be a popular curler when play with your friends at the local curling facility. On this week's episode, we go through the list and glossary and discuss the strategies that may (or may not) make you the most popular players in your league.
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Am I the A**hole - Curling Edition
This week we're taking our inspiration from the popular Am I the A**hole reddit thread. Using stories sent by listeners, we go through the scenarios to determine if the person is or is not an a**hole - at least in that particular circumstance.
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Summer News Update
It's been a while since we talked about all the news coming out of the world of curling so this week we are going through all the recent announcements coming out of the Grand Slams, Olympic-bound teams, and Curling Canada. We also take a listen to a song about Kevin Martin in honour of his recent induction into Canada's Sport Hall of Fame.
"Kevin Martin" by What Does it Eat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4ZoGbC1e30&list=RDb4ZoGbC1e30&start_radio=1
Worst Ways to Miss Shots
In honour of our friend Maegan Hough, who missed an open shot for 8 this past season, we discuss the worst ways to miss shots - in particular a shot for 8. From missed sweeping calls to poor releases, we go through all the ways teams miss shots and try to determine which is the most frustrating/annoying.
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Blank End Power Rankings!
Not all blank ends are created equal! There has been a lot of talk about blank ends over the years and this week we are ranking the 10 different types of blanks that we have identified. Let us know your thoughts on blank ends and if there is a type of blank end that we missed!
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What to Look for When Buying/Replacing Equipment
We're talking equipment!! With the summer in full swing, it's a great time to think about getting some new equipment and we go from toes to head to talk about all the equipment you use when on the ice. From shoes to brooms to headwear and everything in between, we discuss the things to look for when buying equipment and when you should look to replace what you have.
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Rec Level Season in Review
This week, the guys are looking back at their curling season at the Ottawa Curling Club, but also the stat of rec curling in general. From equipment to costs to beer to bonspiels to team dynamics, they go through some of the key changes to rec curling over the past few years and how that has influenced their enjoyment of the sport. Did they miss anything that is key to the rec game? Let us know!
For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Summer News Update
We’re back after a short break to talk about all the news in the world of curling over the past couple of months. From the mixed doubles Olympic field to Olympic qualifiers to broom regulations, we got all caught up on all the goings on in the world of curling.
For more, visit us at gameofstonespod.com
Movie May - Curl Power
Movie May rolls on as we talk about Curl Power, the 2024 documentary about Team Dezura, a U18 team in BC. The doc follows them through a season as they "juggle their lives as teenagers with their goal of winning the Canadian Junior Curling Championship. We talk about the film, what stood out, and how curling fits into the bigger themes. What do you think of the doc?
For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
2025 Curling Commercials Rankings
It's that time of year again!! The Season of Champions is over and we've talked about all the games, but there is a critical part of curling viewing that still needs to be discussed - the commercials. One of our favourite episodes to do each year, we go through and discuss the ads that are shown pretty much every end break. We break down the story, debate their memorability, and rank them. Did you think we got it right? Are they any we missed? Be sure to let us know.
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Women's Sports & Identity
Sean talks with Michelle J. Manno, author of Denied: Women, Sports, and the Contradiction of Identity. They talk about Michelle's personal experience with collegiate basketball, how personal identity mixes with team identity in sports, and how players navigate contested spaces. They also discuss how coaches police players' identities, the role of TItle IX, and how these issues exist across all women's sports.
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A Tribute to Jean-Marie Leduc
This week, we are running a conversation from 2017 between Sean and Jean-Marie Leduc, who had one of the world's largest private collections of skates. Mr. Leduc passed away on August 12, so we wanted to share this conversation as a tribute to him - a man with an incredible passion for sports on ice.
If you're so inclined, check out Lace Up or the French version Coup de patin
Summer Q&A
This week we take a couple questions from the listeners before checking out what's being asked over on the curling sub-reddit. From new schedules to best positions to how to improve your club, we offer up our answers to these questions.
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Potential Curling Scandals
Fresh off the Olympics and the Soccer Canada drone scandal, we sit down and discuss what some comparable scandals in Canada could potentially look like.
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Improving Engagement at the Rec Level
This week, Curl ON Executive Director Matt Allen joins the show to talk about his Engagement Tour Report (which you can read here). After spending more than 200 hours meeting with curlers and clubs across the province, Matt's report outlines ideas to increase engagement at the local level and proposes strategies to get more people playing the sport. From improving the online presence to attracting new and young curlers to adopting new business models, the report lays out a number of ideas to keep the sport strong at the grassroots. Do you think that these ideas will help increase engagement at the rec level?
For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com
Curling Trivia
Everyone loves a good trivia game, so this week Sean gives Scott some trivia questions related to the Scotties and Brier. Play along and see if you can beat Scott! If you do, be sure to let us know!
For more, visit us at GameofStonesPod.com