So, you’ve been doing all the right things:
✅ Running
✅ Lifting
✅ Yoga or stretching
✅ Some interval training
First off—congrats! You’ve invested time, energy, and resources into your training for the upcoming season. That’s a solid start.
But let me ask you this…
Have you made your training curling-specific yet?
Aside from mopping your kitchen floor or painting your driveway, how much time have you spent actually sweeping?
“But Steph…”
I hear it all the time:
“I don’t have access to ice in the summer.”
“I don’t know what to use for dryland sweeping.”
“I haven’t found anything that works…”
“Blah blah blah.”
Listen, I get it—it gets hot in the summer, you’re catching up with friends and family, and the last thing you want to do is drag your broom out of the closet. I experience it too.
But if you want to maximize the 4–6 months you’re off the ice, it takes a little creativity and effort.
💡 Build Your Own Dryland Sweeping Station
My go-to setup is a hockey slide board and vinyl booties. But let’s be real—those can get expensive.
The good news? You can easily DIY your own sweeping station using cheap and easy-to-find materials.
Try places like Dollarama, Walmart, or IKEA. Think outside the box.
Here’s how to do it:
🔨 DIY Sweeping Pad – What You’ll Need:
1. A Slippery Surface
Examples:
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Placemats
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Plastic picture frames
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Whiteboards
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Tin baking sheets
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A square of linoleum
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Dryland flooring tiles
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Mylar sheets
➡️ Pro tip: Glue your surface to a piece of plywood for added stability, put on a yoga mat or add weights to the sides so it doesn’t slide around while you sweep like a pro.
2. Something for Your Broomhead
Examples:
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Fluffy socks
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Microfiber towel
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Vinyl bag
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Slide board booties
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An old hair head curling broom works wonders if you can find one!
➡️ Attach the slippery surface with string, duct tape, or even learn to sew it in place.
3. Optional: Surface Enhancer
Make it extra slippery with:
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Furniture polish
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Car wax (Turtle Wax)
- A little soap and water
➡️ Although I’ve found overall we don’t need to add anything to the board; this is personal preference
4. Work Ethic
5. Grit
And voilà—you’re set up for success!
🎯 Why This Matters
Training off the ice isn’t just about staying in shape. It’s about skill development.
Dryland brushing gives you the opportunity to:
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Improve technique while your feet are on solid ground
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Reinforce movement patterns you’ve been training in the gym
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Build muscle memory and body awareness
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Strengthen your push and pull
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Gain confidence and control in sweeping posture and pressure
From personal experience—and from the athletes I train—we’ve seen a direct translation from dryland brushing to better performance on ice.
🧠 Technique Tips & Training Ideas
Not sure what to focus on?
Start with the basics:
Focus Areas:
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Brush head speed
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Surface area covered (the running surface is only 5″ across)
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Pressure vs. speed balance
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Broom angle
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Footwork and management of your center of gravity
- Get comfortable holding your body up over the brush
- Practice your pull stroke while applying downward pressure
Sample Prescription:
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2x/week minimum
🔹 One technique-focused session
🔹 One interval session to build endurance
Drills & Variations:
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Any of the following interval sessions: 3-Brushing Intervals for you & your team
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Combine sweeping with:
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Box step or lunging intervals
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Footwork trainer or skateboard
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Resistance bands to isolate push or pull motion
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Use a slide board under one foot to mimic on-ice motion
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Record yourself to assess:
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Broom angle
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Brush stroke size
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Strokes/second
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Body position
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💥 Ready to Take It to the Next Level?
If you’re serious about improving your brushing strength, technique, and endurance this season, check out the Better Brushing: Strength & Endurance Program. It’s a progressive 3-level system designed specifically for curlers—with dryland sweeping drills, structured workouts, and minimal equipment required. Whether you’re just starting out or chasing high-performance goals, there’s a level for you.
👉 Click here to learn more and get started with Level 1—or save 20% with the full bundle.
📚 Want to Learn More?
Check out these extra resources:
→ Optimal Brushing Technique – Research Summary
→ Dryland Training for Brushing Footwork – DIY Skateboard Drill
→ Curling Fitness Tips – My 4 Favourite Exercises for Powerful Sweeping
