Curling for Dummies

by Bob Weeks

Packed with easy-to-follow illustrations explaining curling strategy. "Delivers all you need to know about the game..."
— John Kawaja, two-time world champion From game fundamentals to complex strategy, this one-step reference has curling covered. Rookie or seasoned player, fan or coach, this is the book you've been waiting for. So step onto the ice and hone your skills. Armed with the many tips and pointers in this fun, friendly book, you'll have no excuse not to head down to your local club and get curling! Discover how

Genres: Sports, Nonfiction

384 pages, Paperback

First published August 30, 2001

Reviews

[Laura (Kyahgirl) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4/5; 4 stars; A-

I really enjoyed this book, even though I wouldn't necessarily recommend it as the place to start for a new curler (me). This is the type of book that you read when you not only want to learn how to curl but you want all the background info and history. The actual mechanics of curling doesn't really get started until partway through.

Weeks has an informal style of writing that is easy to read and engage with. He includes lots of anecdotes and stories to make it more personal.

[Niki · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, I'm set! In theory, I know the rules, "how to" info, practice tips, etc. so I'm poised to be a knowledgeable, supportive parent of a great youth curler, as well as bring this so-called expertise to my own novice league! ;-)

[Allyson · Rating 4 out of 5]

No longer a dummy.

[Nathan Trachta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Back in February of 2010 my wife and I were watching curling in the Olympics and my wife, not familiar with the sport (I knew a little about it, enough to be dangerous), became fascinated. We went home from dinner and continued watching the games. While watching, I surfed around and learned that we had a local curling club and they did Learn to Curl’s. We did that in March and have sense participated in a Beginner’s League. Wanting to learn a little more, and not being afraid to admit I’m a dummy I picked up Curling for Dummies.
Curling for Dummies presents curling at the beginners level but seems to give much more (while I’m just getting started, I’ve seen a few things I know I should cover again after I have more experience). The book is divided into six sections that go from introducing the sport to the fundamentals to playing the game and getting better. Subjects are presented in a nice simple format with subsections covering details very nicely.
Rating wise I’m calling this a 4 star book. I was generally impressed with its presentation of curling. There’s good details to expand a beginners understanding but its no substitute for learning from a certified curling instructor (if you’re interested in curling I highly recommend attending a Learn to Curl from a local curling club). I do believe this book is helpful to beginners and intermediates to understand more about curling so they can talk with the more experienced curls in their club and possibly improve their game.

[Len Knighton · Rating 3 out of 5]

With the Olympic Winter Games coming up, I thought it might be a good idea for me to brush up on curling. I did some curling about 25 years ago but didn't really learn much about strategy. My focus was getting my stones down the ice and sweeping without falling flat on my face.
One aspect of the game that had just been added at that time was the free guard zone, in which the leads may throw guards in front of the house (the rings) and those guards may not be moved until the fifth stone of the end, when the seconds of each team begin to throw. This rule has added a lot of offense to the game and I needed to know more about it and other moves a team might make.
Weeks knows a lot about curling and it was wonderful finding a book that covered so much of the sport. He was a little repetitious but since the book was for "dummies" like me, I guess some repetition is good.
I'll admit I browsed through a couple of chapters dealing with practice, training, and coaching, because I do not anticipate being an active curler any longer.
There was, perhaps, a bit too much information at the end, but it certainly displayed the passion Bob Weeks has for curling.

Three stars waxing

[Janice Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

It really didn't tell me much that I didn't already know so I'd recommend this book only for people who have not yet curled. I also borrowed the book from a fellow curler so it was an older edition and the people referenced are no longer curling. I wished it had contained a bit more strategy but I'm sure there are other great strategy books out there.

[Zoe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a helpful guide for a new curler, but almost too advanced for someone brand new to the sport. I also found some of the jokes sexist and fat-phobic.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bob Weeks is pretty darn qualified to write about curling. He curls, is a prolific curling writer of books (four by my count) and newspaper articles (for the Globe and Mail) and most recently appeared on TSN last season during curling broadcasts with his insiders "The Weeks Report" (which I hope becomes a regular feature). Like any good journalist these days, he blogs at Bob Weeks on Curling and tweets @bwoncurling. So he knows curling.

Like all Dummies books, this book is a beginner's guide to curling, though it's also a useful refresher for experienced club level curlers. It includes information, tips and advice for all things curling including:
history
equipment
ice
terminology
technique
strategy
practice
kids
coaching
fandom
events
The book even concludes with some Top Tens: skips, shots, games, and sources of information. Again, like all Dummies books it's full of cartoons, diagrams, photos, lists, highlight boxes, icons, fancy fonts for headings, and a healthy dose of humour...yeah you know the drill.

I liked this book. It's written to be easily understood by everyone, and does present the basics of curling in a fun way. There's a lot to learn in the 384 pages, and Bob Weeks does a great job breaking the information down in detailed but not overwhelming chapters. The personable writing and humour is much appreciated and gives the book a light hearted and fun vibe - exactly what club curling is about.

The only downfall of this book - parts of it is outdated. Though a lot of the information is still relevant, obviously the Top Ten section is five years behind. And it could do with updates on some of the new science of curling findings (like should I buy a fancy new broom or just put tin foil on my broom head?). This isn't really a fault of the book though, these things happen.

I recommend "Curling For Dummies" to newbie curlers, or experienced curlers like me who need a refresher every once in awhile. This book isn't in my library (yet) but I most definitely would buy an updated version - I wonder if there will be another new edition reprint soon?

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a curler it's always on my bedside table. Good stuff in here even for experienced curlers.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

An essential if you're a curler.

[Wausau Curling · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a beginner, lots of information in small portions. Won't take the place of learning on the ice, however.

[Kathryn Buchanan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this a pretty good reference. Included some interesting curling trivia. I expect I'll refer back to it again in the future.