Hardline Curling’s icePAD brush is the top seller at our Pro Shop. These are, in our opinion, the best brushes on the market, and, as you likely have heard by now, there are concerns that they, along with some newer models from other manufacturers, may actually be “too good” for championship play, making it easier to control the rock and to drag it further with less effort.
icePAD brushes at our Pro Shop
To address these concerns with a number of the newer brushes, including Hardline’s icePAD, Curling Canada came out with a statement today that affects the use of these brushes, and will be in place for all regional and provincial playdowns that lead to national and world championships. This would include Curl PEI provincial championship events like the Pepsi Juniors, Travelers, Seniors, Mixed, Mixed Doubles, Scotties, and Tankard, but would not include other Curl PEI championship events that don’t lead to a national championship.
To view Curling Canada’s playdowns brush-head moratorium, click here.
Under the moratorium, Hardline icePAD is approved for play at these events that lead to national and world championships, provided that the cover fabric is inverted, and the plastic insert is removed. This is an easy, less than 60 second modification, requiring no tools, and Hardline’s replacement cover installation video shows how to do it.
Also identified in the Curling Canada document as not being allowed are newer models of Balance Plus (likely the “LiteSpeed”) and Performance brushes (possibly using the textured “TX” pad). The Balance Plus “EQ” pad, which we sell, and the Goldline “Norway” pad are listed as acceptable. If you have a brush and are not sure of its suitability, contact rules@curling.ca. In most cases, replacing the brush pad with another model will make them compliant.
Unmodified Hardline icePADs can be used for regular club play and for other bonspiels and provincial championship events that don’t lead to a Curling Canada national championship.
We are big fans of the Hardline icePAD brushes, and are glad to hear that they can be continue to be used in all curling championships (with a simple modification for some events).