A Full Love Letter to the Art of Broomstacking
If curling is the sport that brings us together, broomstacking is the ritual that keeps us coming back. Ask any curler why they love the game, and sure, you will hear plenty about draw weight, big takeouts, or the thrill of winning a bonspiel, but let’s be honest, the story usually ends with, “And then we broomstacked after.” Curling culture is built on laughter, shared beverages, and those post-game conversations that remind us this sport was designed to be social. And yes, funny curling shirts definitely improve the broomstacking experience, or at least that is what I tell myself whenever I send someone to our collection of curling team merch.
Welcome to a full love letter to the greatest tradition in curling culture: broomstacking.
So, What Is Broomstacking Really About
Broomstacking is the time-honored tradition of settling into the warm room after a game, grabbing a drink with your opponents, and basically agreeing that, win or lose, curling is more fun when we treat each other like teammates in the sport of life. In a world full of competition, stress, and people yelling at sports refs on TV, broomstacking is the antidote. It is curling’s reminder that we can be competitive and still be friends by the time the glasses clink.
If you are new to curling, this is where the magic of curling culture really hits stride. The jokes get louder, someone reenacts a ridiculous shot that absolutely did not go the way they claim it did, and at least one person drops a line like “I had the line, I just didn’t have the weight.” Classic.
Broomstacking Is Curling’s Best Relationship Builder
Curling teams form during practice, but friendships form during broomstacking. Here is what makes the tradition stick:
1. You get to know the humans inside the parkas
On the ice, your skip might look like a serious ice general orchestrating sweeping battles. Off the ice, they are probably just a friendly spreadsheet nerd who also happens to own six identical hoodies. Broomstacking is where curlers remember we are all regular folks who occasionally yell “Hard!” for fun.
2. It builds club culture faster than any league standings
Whether you curl every week or only when your team remembers to text you, broomstacking keeps the energy light and welcoming. New curlers get pulled into conversations. Veterans trade stories about bonspiels that may or may not have actually happened. Before long, you feel like you’ve always been part of the curling club family.
3. It fuels the spirit of curling
Sportsmanship is a real thing here. Buying the first round for your opponents? Sure. Congratulating a great shot even if it cost you the game? Happens every night. Wearing a shirt that says something like “Sweep Dreams” or “Skip Happens”? Even better. Broomstacking is where curling humor shines.
How to Broomstack Like a Pro
If you want to maximize your broomstacking ROI, here is a simple playbook.
Bring a good attitude
This is not a debrief session. You are not litigating missed hits. You are celebrating the people who play the sport with you.
Tell one story that is definitely exaggerated
This is tradition. Mandatory. Required by the Spirit of Curling bylaws. Probably.
Compliment someone’s shot and someone else’s sweater
A solid team gift, a clever hoodie, or a set of funny curling shirts makes a great conversation starter and is clinically proven to improve broomstacking performance, or at least I imagine the FDA would approve.
Invite someone new into the circle
If you want your club to grow, this is how you do it. Broomstacking is the recruitment pipeline for curling lifers.
The History Behind the Tradition
“Broomstacking” comes from early Scottish curlers who literally stacked their brooms together outdoors to mark the spot for post-game socializing. Fast-forward a couple centuries, and now we stack metaphorical brooms while stacking beverages instead.
If you want to geek out further, check out:
- The World Curling Federation’s history page: https://worldcurling.org/history
- A fun dive into curling origins: https://www.curling.ca/about-the-sport
Curling has always been about community first, sport second. Broomstacking is how that legacy stays alive.
Why Broomstacking Still Matters Today
In an era of online everything and schedules that feel like spreadsheets on fire, broomstacking is a moment to slow down, reconnect, and remember that sports were invented to bring people together. Curling clubs that lean into broomstacking tend to have stronger leagues, fuller bonspiels, and happier members. It is also one of the reasons curling is such a welcoming sport for newcomers. The only requirement is a willingness to sit down, laugh a little, and enjoy the community.
If you want to lean even deeper into curling culture, check out posts like our guide to drop-in curling and why it builds clubs fast and our breakdown of the unwritten rules of curling. Spoiler: broomstacking appears in both.
Closing Thoughts, Beverage in Hand
Broomstacking is not just a tradition, it is the heart of curling culture. It is the handshake after the final handshake. It is the reason many of us showed up in the first place and the reason we keep showing up season after season. It is curling’s invitation to enjoy the game beyond the scoreboard.
So here is your call to action, subtle and friendly. Next time you hit the ice, bring your best shot, your best attitude, and maybe your best shirt from CurlingIsFun.com. After the game, pull up a chair. The tradition is waiting.
Good curling, and happy broomstacking.
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