Open Doubles – Wednesday @ 7:45 PM and 9:15 PM
Chair: Peter Coughlin
Convenors: Peter Coughlin, Michael Flowers, Melissa Wong
Welcome to the 2023-24 season. The Open Doubles league has a maximum registration of twenty four teams and “Open” Doubles team can be any combination of female and male players and no previous Doubles experience is necessary.
Why play Doubles? It is a fast paced, six end game and in each end only five rocks are thrown per team. Curling Canada identifies it as the fastest growing part of our sport and at RKCC we have a good mix of competition and fun. Team members must work together to plan the curling shots and take turns with throwing and sweeping. Many Doubles curlers comment on their enjoyment with the format and their active role in strategy, teamwork and the variety of shot making.
There are some rule differences from traditional four person curling: positioned rocks at the start of each end; a different free guard zone rule and the optional power play option once per game. If you would like to learn about the rules, Curling Canada has the current rules posted on their website (see Mixed Doubles). The graphics illustrating rock position are super helpful. We also provide some informal coaching on the rules as curlers new to the league settle into the format.
Curling Canada – Mixed Doubles Curling Rules for Officiated Play
If you want to see some of the pros making it look easy, the Curling Canada YouTube channel has many games posted
In Doubles, there are options for where each curler is positioned at the time of rock delivery. Some players prefer to throw the rock and then move into position to sweep and the line is called by their team mate in the house at the other end of the sheet. Other curlers prefer to throw the rock and their Doubles partner is positioned at the hog line, ready to sweep and the line is called by the curler who threw the rock. Both players may also sweep. Stick curlers are welcome in Open Double
Games are scheduled on Wednesday evening at either 7:45 pm or 9:15 pm. A well played doubles game takes about 75 minutes so one can be home before it is too late. Doubles is a flight format, with Divisions A, B and C and our season is divided into three draws: Week one through til Christmas Break and then January, February and then the final draw to season end. The flight format provides for adjustment at each break, with the top two flight teams moving up one flight and the lower two teams moving down one flight. Playoff competition is held in April with presentation of the Riverhead Doubles trophy to the championship team.
Doubles players should be familiar with the on line club website as all schedule/standings are posted on line and teams will post game results (win/loss/tie) directly to the website.
We will also be hosting our Open Doubles bonspiel on Saturday November 25th, 2023 – this is one of the few invitational Doubles bonspiels in the Greater Kingston area, so watch for the flyer and plan to be there.
Teams can be registered with two members, however, if you anticipate regular absence for a team member, you may register as a team of three. If you cannot make a game, please arrange for a spare curler. You might invite another league player to step in or check the Doubles spare list. It is required that a spare must be a league member or registered on the spare list. Individual RKCC members can sign up on the spare list. We know that there may also be some curlers who would like to try Doubles, but may not have a team. You can add your name to the Free Agent Listing, under the Doubles category on the club website, under Members services or sign up to be a spare for the Doubles league. You are also able to register without a team mate and our committee will lend a hand to match up interested Doubles curlers.
Still not sure if you want to try Doubles? Send an email question to any of the league organizers, Peter Coughlin, Michael Flowers or Melissa Wong
We look forward to seeing you on the ice.