https://rainbowrockers.org/mailpoet-email/4a7c0d3af034-rrcl-important-events-and-reminders
Hey Rainbow Rockers! A few event and league reminders to keep you up to date as we ease into the season.
-Events-
Recreational Skills Clinic
This clinic is designed for curlers with 4 years of experience or less who want to strengthen their foundational skills in a supportive and welcoming environment. Whether you’re new to curling or looking to refine the basics, this clinic will focus on key game fundamentals to help you continue developing as a curler.
The clinic will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 4:00PM – 6:00PM at the Ottawa Curling Club. It’s a great opportunity to learn from experienced instructors, ask questions, and gain practical tips that you can immediately apply during league play. To register, visit the Recreational Skills Clinic registration page. For more information, please contact Ethan M. at [email protected].
Over the Rainbow Bonspiel
Mark your calendars for January 21-24, 2027, as Rainbow Rockers proudly hosts the 20th edition of Over the Rainbow, one of Canada’s premier 2SLGBTQIA+ curling bonspiels. This milestone event will welcome up to 60 teams from across Canada and beyond for a weekend of great curling, community, and celebration at both the Ottawa Curling Club and Rideau Curling Club. Teams are guaranteed four games, along with plenty of food, prizes, entertainment, and opportunities to connect with fellow curlers. Registration opens on our website Sunday, October 18 at 8:00PM, with entry set at $600 per team. Whether you’re a returning favourite or considering your first bonspiel, we invite you to join us for what promises to be our biggest and most memorable Over the Rainbow Bonspiel yet.
Annual General Meeting
Join us for the league AGM on Saturday October 24th 6:30PM – 8:00PM at the Ottawa Curling Club.
Topics
- Reporting on 2025-2026 season
- Highlights of 2026-2027 season
- Financial reporting
- Q&A between members and executives.
For questions please reach out to Bill at [email protected].
Playdowns for the Canadian Pride Curling Championships
Every year, member cities of the Canadian Pride Curling Association (CPCA) compete for the opportunity to represent their community at the world’s only 2SLGBTQIA+ national curling championship. Local playdowns are held to determine each city’s delegation team, with the winning team earning the chance to compete against representatives from across Canada. This year’s championship will take place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from February 10 to 14.
Rainbow Rockers is now accepting registrations for the Ottawa playdowns. The deadline to register is October 31 at 11:59PM by contacting Ethan M. at [email protected]. To confirm your registration, a $100 entry deposit is required. Playdown games are scheduled for November 21 and November 28 from 4:00PM – 6:30PM. All members are welcome to apply. If you’ve ever wanted to experience competitive pride curling and represent Ottawa on the national stage, this is your chance!
-Reminders-
Equipment
For all members and spares, please remember that you are responsible for obtaining your own curling equipment, as the Ottawa Curling Club will not be providing rental equipment. This includes essential items such as grippers, curling shoes or sliders, and a broom. Equipment can be purchased from the pro shop at the club, from the Goldline store in Nepean, using the RRCL “Buy/Sell” spreadsheet, or through a variety of online retailers. If you have any questions about what equipment you need or where to purchase it, please reply to this email or contact Xander Fernandes at [email protected].
Ice Etiquette
Before stepping onto the ice, please ensure that the ice crew has fully completed their preparation work, including both pebbling and nipping. Freshly prepared curling ice requires these final steps to create the consistent playing surface that allows stones to curl and travel properly. Entering the ice too early can damage the freshly pebbled surface, affect ice conditions for all players, and create additional work for our ice technicians. Nipping is an important part of the process that helps produce the speed and consistency curlers expect throughout a game. It is also a matter of safety, as ice maintenance equipment may still be in use and freshly prepared surfaces can present additional slip hazards. Out of respect for the Ottawa Curling Club staff and your fellow curlers, please wait for the all-clear before taking the ice.
Speed of Play Tips
[Tips from Navan CC] One of the best ways to ensure everyone enjoys a complete 8-end game is to maintain a steady pace of play. Small delays add up quickly. A delay of just 10 seconds per delivery across 16 rocks per end can add nearly 11 minutes to a game, making it harder to finish all eight ends and reducing the time available for the ice crew to prepare the sheets for the next draw. We encourage all players to help keep games moving by following a few simple habits:
- Be ready in the hack: When the opposing team releases their rock, the next thrower should already be cleaning their rock and getting set to deliver.
- Prepare for the next end: While the vices determine the score and sweepers move rocks to the sides, the lead throwing first in the next end should grab their stone and be ready to go.
- Think ahead: Skips should consider their next shot while the opposition’s rock is travelling down the sheet, rather than waiting for it to stop before discussing strategy.
- Keep discussions brief: A quick conversation is often all that’s needed. Longer strategy discussions can significantly slow the pace of play.
-Follow Us-
- League Facebook group
- Over the Rainbow Bonspiel Facebook page
- League Instagram account (rainbowrockersottawa)
- Over the Rainbow Bonspiel Instagram account (otr_bonspiel)
