Effective immediately, hair brushes will not be allowed as sweeping devices for the Tournament of Hearts or the Brier. The new wording of the Moratorium is below. As sweeping devices, hair brushes will be allowed in the pre-game practice, but not the last stone draw, nor during the game. Skips and Vice Skips can use hair brushes in the house at the playing end but can only sweep behind the tee-line.
UPDATED – FEBRUARY 17, 2016
Moratorium on Brush Head Technology
The purpose of the moratorium is to remove the uncertainty that hangs over the field of play by
ensuring a level playing field while protecting the integrity of the sport and the spirit of fair play.
This will require voluntary player compliance without the intervention of officials.
Given that events offering CTRS points are part of the 2018 Olympic Qualification Process and
given that any provincial / territorial playdown leading to a Curling Canada event that ultimately
leads to a World Curling Federation event, Curling Canada offers up the following updated and
amended statement for the remainder of the 2015-16 competitive season.
Statement
(1) Only brushes and brush heads available for sale to the public at retail outlets will be
allowed on the field of play.
(2) No modified, custom-made or homemade brushing equipment will be allowed on the
field of play. This does not apply to branding / cosmetic related modifications nor does it
apply to compliant brush heads that have been re-conditioned or re-covered for retail sale.
(3) Brush head fabric that has been embossed / sealed / textured / modified from its original
woven form will not be allowed on the field of play.
(4) For brush head fabric to be allowed on the field of play, the fabric must have a woven
appearance that is visible to the “naked eye”. The intent is to ensure the fabric makes
contact with the ice as opposed to the embossed / sealed coating of the fabric.
(5) Brush heads containing “hardening” or “stiffening” materials inserted between the outer
fabric and the internal cushioning material of the brush head are not allowed on the field
of play. These materials may include but are not limited to: plastic, fiberglass, wood, and
Teflon. In addition, brush heads that are constructed in a manner that greatly reduces the
“normal” amount of compression may not be allowed on the field of play as determined
by the Chief Umpire.
(6) All hair or hog hair brushes are now included in the Moratorium as non-compliant. This
is effective immediately for the 2016 Tournament of Hearts and 2016 Brier. Hair or hog
hair brushes may be used by the skip or vice skip in the house at the playing end. But
sweeping with a hair hog hair brush can only be done behind the tee-line. Hair or hog
hair brushes may be used as part of the delivery. Combination hair/fabric brushes are
considered non-compliant.
Compliance
– Teams currently using brush head technology not in compliance with the above
moratorium may comply by:
(1) If applicable, reversing the brush head fabric to place the fibre weave on the exterior [in
contact with the ice]; or,
(2) Utilizing alternate brush head fabric comprised of fibre weaves that are visible to the
“naked eye”; or,
(3) If applicable, removing any “hardening or “stiffening” inserts from between the fabric
and cushioning material, or using an alternative brush.
Note – Curling Canada will continue to work with the World Curling Federation and the Player’s
Association to establish an evidence-based, well-defined equipment approval policy.
Enforcement
(1) Players and coaches will be responsible for ensuring any brush brought on to the field of
play is compliant with the moratorium.
(2) Once a player has selected one approved brush for that game, no replacement of that
brush, brush head or brush head fabric shall be made without the approval of the assigned
umpire.
(3) Replacement of a brush head or brush head fabric would only occur in extreme
circumstances to be determined by the umpire. As described, the circumstance must be
extreme in nature, and not as a result of intentional damage to the brush by the player. If
the damage is as a result of intentional damage by the player, the umpire will decide what
sweeping broom will be allowed. A ‘wet’ broom is not considered an extreme
circumstance.
(4) Players may exchange brushes between themselves with the exception of exchanging
with the skip (person in charge of play for the team).
(5) If a player intends to bring into the field of play a delivery device to be utilized as a
delivery device only, and that has the ability to be switched to a sweeping device, then
the declared delivery device shall be marked in such a manner that it would be visible to
an umpire if the device was used as a sweeping device. (Possible markings: bright duct
tape, survey tape).
– Penalty for sweeping with a throwing broom: the delivered stone shall be removed
from play and all affected stones shall be replaced to their original position. The
throwing broom shall be returned to play as a throwing broom.
(6) Random inspections of equipment by an umpire may be carried out during the event and
during a game. Players may request an umpire inspect a brush prior to or during a game.
As we progress thru the implementation of the Moratorium, we have observed the processes,
listened to concerns of players, and have further developed how we approach the Moratorium in
the field of play.
Pre-game practice – The pre-game practice, as stated is not part of the game. As such any
compliant brush may be used including throwing brooms.
Last Stone Draw – The Last Stone Draw is considered part of the game and as such the
Moratorium is in force.
Penalties – If a player is found to be using a brush that is not allowed on the field of play under
this moratorium, the offending team will forfeit that game.
Authority
(1) The Chief Umpire is authorized to administer this Moratorium and may assign other
umpires to perform various duties, as required.
(2) The Chief Umpire is authorized to make decisions regarding this Moratorium not
specifically covered in this protocol.
(3) All decisions of the Chief Umpire regarding this Moratorium are final.
Curling Canada’s list of compliant brush heads by brand name
(1) Asham TX
(2) Balance Plus EQ
(3) Balance Plus – “older models”
(4) Goldline Norway Pad
(5) Hammer
(6) Hardline IcePad – fabric inverted without plastic insert
(7) Hardline Tour Elite without plastic insert
(8) Olson Opti
(9) Performance TX
(10) Performance – “older models”
(11) Warthog – woven side
(12) Hair brushes – various brands
Respectfully,
Patricia Ray / J onathan Mead
Curling Canada Acting Chief Executive Officer / World Curling Tour Players Association
Pierre Charette
Grand Slam of Curling