Curling Canada’s Revamped Ice Technician program is ready to launch in 2023-24
All Canadian curlers deserve excellent ice curls. After two years of planning and preparation, Curling Canada is launching its new ice technician program.
The program revitalizes and enhances the training provided to ice technicians across the country and ensures Canadian ice conditions remain the gold standard, from recreational play to high-performance competition.
“We recognize how important it is to train high-quality ice technicians to support the needs of member centers across the country. Curling Centers recognize that the quality of the ice at their curling facilities is key to creating a positive and exceptional experience for curling players of all levels and abilities,” said Don Powell, Director of Certifications. Curling Canada Ice Technicians: “At the end of the day, everyone deserves great ice.”
The new Ice Technician program focuses on two ice making tracks: Curling Center and Competition.
The Curling Center Ice Technician stream begins training to become an Assistant Curling Ice Technician. This role is taken through a one-day in-person workshop and is suitable for volunteers and other assistants working under the supervision of a Curling Ice Technician.
The Assistant Ice Crushing Technician is trained in the basic duties of ice curling maintenance which include scraping, gritting, nibbling, temperature monitoring, open/close/retract change procedures, and basic troubleshooting.
Assistant Curling Ice Technicians (and other icemakers who have gained experience in the craft through other methods) can train to become Curling Ice Technicians by completing a program that focuses on theoretical or practical ice installations. Programs can be completed in person or through a hybrid online and in-person approach.
In the Curling Ice Technician program, ice technicians will be educated on what makes good ice, curling center safety, cooling plant operation, water quality, flooring, installation and removal, paint/logo techniques, stone maintenance, environmental management, and more. Completing the training will grant the Ice Technician the status of “Instructor” Ice Curling Technician.
Ice Technicians can become “certified” Ice Technicians by completing an online exam, Safe sports trainingAnd a successful personal or video evaluation.
“Ice Technicians are primarily responsible adults within curling centers who have a clear view of the day-to-day training environment, ensuring they are educated on the safe sport and will further assist in protecting participants and our member curling facilities ensuring that certified ice technicians within our program have completed this important education,” said Jennifer Ferris, NCCP and Safe Sport Advisor at Curling Canada.
The new Ice Technician program also provides a clear path to ice technicians with aspirations of making and managing the ice at major national and international tournaments. After completing the curling ice technician requirements, ice technicians must complete a five-day personal training course to become competitive ice technicians.
In collaboration with member associations, Curling Canada piloted the new Ice Technician program in seven provinces during the 2022-23 season, with more than 230 ice technicians attending the training sessions.
“We are thrilled to be able to use Curling Canada’s learning management system; learn.curling.ca, to house training materials in English and French. The online system makes it easy to update materials and will help member associations reduce costs, as printing and shipping are not required. “This is a small change we can make that contributes to Curling Canada’s environmental, social and governance strategy,” said Dustin Mikosh, Director of Youth and Program Development.
Please contact your provincial/territorial member association to register for the course today.
For questions about Curling Canada’s Ice Technician program, please email [email protected].
