What is Crokicurl?

Right now, you might be asking yourself, “What in the weird Canadiana is crokicurl?” Well, we have the answer you’re looking for. Crokicurl takes two classic Canadian pastimes – crokinole and curling – and combines them into a popular new game that every Canadian can love. Think crokinole supersized on ice with curling rocks – but you won’t be flicking your fingers for this version of the game!

Crokicurl was invented in Winnipeg and had its world debut in 2016. Being Manitoba’s neighbourly prairie sibling, Saskatchewanians have embraced the game of crokicurl as their own, with new places adopting it as a winter activity every year.

How to Play

So how do you even play this strange amalgamation of Canadian games? 

Crokicurl is an easy and straight-forward game to learn and play for just about anyone of all ages. The aim is to score the most points by sliding rocks into the highest scoring zones of the playing surface with an emphasis on the centre button which rocks can slide right into – similar to scoring in the game of curling and crokinole. 

The game involves two teams, each made up of one or two players. Each team uses four rocks of the same colour and takes turns sliding rocks across the ice into the middle of the playing surface.

Players aim to score points by landing their rocks in the centre button and surrounding zones. A successful shot that lands a rock into the button is immediately removed and counted as 20 points. If the rock lands outside the button, but within the three zones circling the button, that rock will stay there until each team has shot all four rocks and then points will be counted accordingly. The most inner zone directly around the button is worth 15 points, the second zone in the middle is worth 10 points and the outer ring zone is worth 5 points. Teams can knock out their opponents’ rocks if they wish to remove potential points. After both teams have finished shooting all four rocks, count all the point to see who wins!

Find a Crokicurl Rink

Crokicurl rinks can often be found throughout the province in cities and parks during the winter season. However, their availability depends on weather conditions. Each year, new locations embrace this growing sport as part of their winter activities, so keep an eye and ear out for where you can try this fun winter activity yourself.

Crokicurl offers a fun combination of two cherished Canadian games, blending the strategy of crokinole with the excitement of curling. It’s easy to learn and play, making it a fantastic winter activity for people of all ages. As more places in Saskatchewan set up rinks each winter, keep an eye out for opportunities to join the action and embrace this uniquely Canadian sport!