PROGRAMMING
GET CERTIFIED
USA Curling values all members who are committed to teaching and growing our sport. As a benefit to membership USA Curling offers a number of educational courses. Whether expanding your skills and knowledge or working towards a certification, we support you in your advancement.
Information on programs can be found below. For additional information, please contact memberservices@usacurling.org
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If you're interested in registering for an existing course, log in to your MyUSACurling.com account, and click the "Courses" item in the menu on the left-hand panel.
Requirements for courses can by found by clicking the "View" button for the course and then "Show More" under the info icon. Many courses require current Center for SafeSport Training, First Aid/CPR training, and a valid Events Waiver.
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Qualified instructors are crucial to the growth of our sport. Hosting an instructor course is a great way to boost the level of Instruction for Learn to Curls, Corporate Events, and other introductory events at your club, particularly as you gear up for the Olympics.
Any USA Curling Member Club may request to host a course using the form below. USA Curling can arrange for a certified Course Conductor if necessary, and host clubs are responsible for course conductor travel, and providing any refreshments or meals during the course.
Individual USA Curling membership, Center for SafeSport Training, First Aid/CPR training, and an Event Waiver are required to earn a USA Curling Instructor Certification. Participants must be 18 or older at the time the course to attend.
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We're always excited to improve the quality of curling officiating across the country and clubs that host courses are crucial to those efforts. Typically, USA Curling strives to hold Officiating Courses ahead of major national championships. This provides the best opportunities for newly minted officials-in-training to complete the hourly requirements of their certifications. Your club may also request to host an Officiating Course to support regional events or other competitions.
Any USA Curling Member Club may request to host an Officiating Course using the form below. Additionally USA Curling may ask to hold one at a club near an upcoming national championship. USA Curling will arrange for a Officiating Educator to lead the course, and host clubs are responsible for course conductor travel, and providing any refreshments or meals during the course.
Individual USA Curling membership, Center for SafeSport Training, an Event Waiver, and completion of the World Curling Academy Rules and Curling and Rules of Competition courses are required to earn a USA Curling Officiating Certification. Participants must be 18 or older at the time the course to attend.
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Elite-level athletes can provide insight and instruction that will help your members become more confident curlers. Thanks to a generous donation from Bill Peskoff and the Peskoff Charitable Fund, clubs can book full-day visits from players in our Athlete Outreach program—without any upfront costs.
Athletes in this program are currently competing and aspiring to represent the USA at World Championships and Olympic/Paralympic Games. On-ice training for curlers of all levels, community outreach events, strategy discussions, Q&A sessions—all can be a part of the programming during athlete visit to your club.
USA Curling will contact you directly once information has been submitted. If you have questions in advance, send a message to jenna.burchesky@usacurling.org.
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Head Ice Technician Shawn Olesen's services are provided to member clubs at $500 per day plus travel expenses. He is open to staying at the home of member to reduce overall cost. For longer site visits, a total fee can be negotiated.
To request Shawn's services, complete the form and a USA Curling staff member will contact you to discuss your club's needs and find a date that produces maximum benefit.
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USA Curling has partnered with World Curling to offer a USA Curling Club Ice Technician/World Curling Level 1 Ice Technician Certification. An in-person assessment is required to complete the certification, following completion of the World Curling Academy Introduction to Maintaining Curling Ice online course. When enough interested participants have completed the online course, one of seven World Curling trained Educators across the country will be made available to offer the final assessment for this certification. If you have completed the online course, you may use the form below to let us know of your interest in the assessment.
In addition to the course, participants must have USA Curling Individual membership, First Aid/CPR training, Center for SafeSport Training, a valid Event Waiver, and be a member of a USA Curling Member Club and 18 years or older at the time of the assessment to be eligible to participate.
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Young athletes who aspire to elevate their curling abilities to the next level are invited to join our National Team umbrella through the NJDP. The vision of the National Junior Development Program is to help cultivate our Olympic athletes of tomorrow by providing young and motivated athletes with resources that the National Team athletes utilize.
Athletes within the program will be able to consult with a National Team Coach, have increased access to off-ice training and preparation, and are invited to join a six-part webinar series that will educate on the foundations of becoming an elite competitor. These webinars feature special guests, encourage collaboration as well as networking across the country.
The following are resources available to athletes:
-Sports performance training, workouts are tailored to progressing on-ice results.
-Coaching consultation on technical aspects including video analysis.
-A six-part webinar series including sports psychology, team dynamics, fundamentals of delivery, learning to win, basics of shot execution, practice planning, etc.
-Access to sports psychology modules.
Applicants must be a U.S. Citizen between the age of 12 and 21.
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Educational sessions were available to discuss issues related to club operations and ice quality in our member clubs. These sessions include Club Operations and Ice Making topics.
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Completion of the course, along with a Background Screen and SafeSport training, certifies you as a Level 1 Coach. In the months ahead, a Level 2 module will be added to the platform, and in-person courses are planned for locations around the country. Successful completion of the Level 2 module and the in-person course will certify you as a Level 2 Coach.
**valid Coach membership is required for access
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Think you know everything about reading and using a curling scoreboard? Good! Because this class is not that!
Game Scoring, unlike hanging the score or reading a scoreboard, is about assigning a score to the quality of each shot in a game. This score results in quantified shooting percentages for players and these statistics are valuable for coaches to help assess how their players performed, and also for players to understand the quality of their shot making during a game.
While previous Analytics Level 1—Game Scoring certifications have been held in person, we're currently transitioning to an online, self-paced option. We hope for this course to be available later this summer, so you can practice your Game Scoring skills in time to watch the pros in action at the Olympic Games, where each shot from each player in each draw will be scored and averages will be updated throughout the event.
Photo by: Bob Weder
Programming
USA Curling values all members who are committed to teaching and growing our sport. As a benefit to membership, USA Curling offers a number of educational courses and other developmental programming. Whether expanding your skills and knowledge or working towards a certification, we support you in your advancement.
Information on programs can be found below. For additional information, please contact memberservices@usacurling.org
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USA Curling offers certifications in 5 main areas:
Instructor: assist new curlers in their very first on-ice experiences
Officiating: act as game umpire at competitions and championships
Game Analytics: track player statistics by “scoring” shot-making
Coaching: one sentence thing about coaching
Ice Making: provide a quality ice surface for club and championship level play
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In addition to certifications for individuals, USA Curling has several developmental programs and resources.
National Junior Development Program: season-long virtual program with monthly sessions to help grow the next generation of the nation’s best curlers
Athlete Outreach Initiative: Learn from the best curlers in the country through sweeping, strategy, and skills clinics brought right to your club!
Virtual Education Sessions: periodic online sessions where you can discuss topics such as ice making, and club operations with experts
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Head Ice Technician Shawn Olesen's services are provided to member clubs at $500 per day plus travel expenses. He is open to staying at the home of member to reduce overall cost. For longer site visits, a total fee can be negotiated.
To request Shawn's services, complete the form and a USA Curling staff member will contact you to discuss your club's needs and find a date that produces maximum benefit.
Jump to a Course Type to learn more about the certification pathway
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Courses and Certifications
Instructor Certifications
Instructor certifications are USA Curling’s most popular certification. We offer 2 Levels of Instructor courses, as well as pathways for some to become course conductors and lead Instructor courses themselves. Completion of each level of Instructor course, and satisfying the accompanying requirements, results in the corresponding Instruction Certification.
Level 1 Instructor Course
The Level 1 Instructor certification will train USA Curling members to introduce the sport to newcomers in a way that is positive, fun, and safe. A USA Curling Certified Level 1 Instructor has learned how to convert first-time participants to lifetime curlers, and has the knowledge to organize and assist with introductory events.
The focus is on creating a positive learning environment, while teaching the basics of the game—delivery, sweeping, scoring. Level 1 Instructors can identify common flaws in the delivery or sweeping technique, and provide clear feedback to help people improve.
Since they are often the first personal interaction a newcomer has in curling, confident and capable Level 1 Instructors are critical to the growth of the sport, both at their home clubs and nationally. We appreciate everyone who invests the time to become a trained, knowledgeable instructor.
Level 2 Instructor Course
Level 1 Instructor Course Conductor Training
Requires prior Level 1 and Level 2 Instructor certifications. This is a 2 hour virtual meeting with other prospective Course Conductors and a certified leader. Upon completion of this training, when all other requirements have been met, individuals will be certified to lead Level 1 Instructor courses at their home- and nearby-clubs.
Level 2 Instructor Course Conductor Training
Requires prior Level 1 Course Conductor certification. This is a day-long in-person training that elevates the level of proficiency for individuals to be qualified to lead Level 2 Instructor courses.
Qualified instructors are crucial to the growth of our sport. Hosting an instructor course is a great way to boost the level of Instruction for Learn to Curls, Corporate Events, and other introductory events at your club, particularly as you gear up for the Olympics.
Base Requirements:
Individual USA Curling membership
Center for SafeSport Training
First Aid/CPR training
Event Waiver
Participants must be 18 or older at the time the course to attend
Host an INstructor Course
Any USA Curling Member Club may request to host a course using the form below. USA Curling can arrange for a certified Course Conductor if necessary, and host clubs are responsible for course conductor travel, and providing any refreshments or meals during the course. The course fee for the Level 1 Instructor Course is $600. The Level 2 Instructor Course is $900. Generally, these fees are considered paid after 10 participants have registered for a course. More information about the course fee, registration, and scheduling is available upon request.
Officiating Certifications
Recreational curling is a self-umpiring game, where players are expected to understand and adhere to the rules and manage the scoreboards themselves. At competitions, however, often times Game Umpires are used to navigate infractions, conduct measures, and manage the scoreboard. Additionally, many higher level competitions are timed and trained volunteers are required to time those games. That’s where Officiating certifications come in!
Level 1 Official
Time games. Know the rules.
Before taking your Level 1 Official Course, you must first complete the World Curling Academy Rules of Curling and Rules of Competition courses. Once you’ve completed of the Level 1 Official in-person course work, you may submit records of 6 timed games at USA Curling sanctioned events (including playdowns) and receive the final Level 1 Official Certification.
Level 2 Official
Hang scores, communicate between teams and on-ice supervisor
After attending a Level 2 Course, you can complete the Level 2 Official Certification by acting as an on-ice supervisor in 3 games, and a timing supervisor in 3 games.
Level 3 Official
Chief Umpire at National Championships
Level 4 Official
The Max
More information about the Officiating Pathway, documents Officials use during competitions and the Rule Book can be found in the “Officiating Group” in Our House.
Ice Technician
In 2023, USA Curling partnered with World Curling to offer joint Ice Technician Certifications.
USA Curling Club Ice Technician
World Curling Level 1 Certification
This certification will prepare ice technicians to be successful in producing a quality playing surface at their club throughout the curling season. Interested participants will take Introduction to Maintaining Curling Ice ($99) through World Curling Academy. Upon completion of the online course, you can request an assessment. When enough interested participants have completed the online course, one of seven World Curling trained Educators across the country will be made available to offer the final assessment for this certification. If you have completed the online course, you may use the form below to let us know of your interest in the assessment.
The assessment is 2 days of largely hands-on, on-ice work. Participants demonstrate skills, safe operation of ice making equipment, and a command of the technical knowledge covered in the online course. Courses are limited to small groups to ensure each participants completes the assessment with the skills they need for a successful ice-making season.
USA Curling Championship Ice Technician
World Curling Chief Ice Technician Certification
Ready for the next step in ice making? This certification will prepare you to make Championship ice in an arena setting. Throughout this 5-day course, you will assist with every step of an arena ice install, from a bare or hockey-ready surface to championship curling ice, ready for some of the best curlers in the world. Eligible participants will have a Club Ice Technician Certification and will also have taken the Chief Ice Technician ($149) course through the World Curling Academy. When these events are available, eligible certified ice technicians will be notified directly and given the opportunity to apply.
In addition to the course, participants must have USA Curling Individual membership, First Aid/CPR training, Center for SafeSport Training, a valid Event Waiver, and be a member of a USA Curling Member Club and 18 years or older at the time of the assessment to be eligible to participate.