USA Curling is pleased to announce the launch of a new Ice Technician Certification program, aligned with World Curling and the World Curling Academy.
Two levels will be offered—Club Ice Technician and Championship Ice Technician. Through the Club Ice Technician certification, ice technicians will acquire skills and knowledge that will help them prepare and maintain a quality playing surface in a club setting. The Championship Ice Technician certification requires experience installing and maintaining curling ice in an arena setting at a championship event.
“This new program is comprehensive, with materials and training that upgrade the skills of all ice technicians,” noted USA Curling Head Ice Technician Shawn Olesen. “It’s not just about getting a piece of paper—anyone who completes the process will learn things they can incorporate into their work right away.”
Seven USA Curling ice technicians, including Olesen, completed training with the World Academy of Sport that certified them as educators who will lead courses around the country. To launch the program, USA Curling will focus on the first level—Club Ice Technician.
Before applying to participate in the two-day, intensive, on-ice workshop, ice technicians are required to successfully complete the Introduction to Maintaining Curling Ice online course, available through the World Curling Academy. Once the in-person training is complete, participants will be certified at this level. Sessions for on-ice assessment are being scheduled now—class sizes will be small to ensure that each person receives the necessary attention and feedback.
The two-day workshop will include discussion and demonstration of skills crucial to quality ice making, such as scraping, pebbling, on-ice safety, troubleshooting, and more. Lunch will be provided both days. The fee for this training is $600 per person. Individual membership to USA Curling and a USA Curling Member Club are required.
Several workshops are currently being planned, the first of which will be held at the Chaska Curling Center June 29-30, 2024. Interested participants should complete this application to be considered for this first training event. Selected participants will receive a link to register through MyUSACurling.com. Notifications of selection will be sent within one week following the close of the application. Additional dates will be announced in the coming weeks.
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