Pebbling - There is no Right or Wrong Way

A few points I have learned over the years:

• A full pebble can when you begin will insure you a better gravity flow and a better pebbling pattern.
• Warmer pebble water will freeze quicker and give you a better shape pebble, depending on your ice temperature.
• A cold pebble will freeze to a point. Once a stone has hit the top of this pebble, the pebble will break down quickly
• Dragging stones or "clipping" a freshly pebbled sheet of ice will give you a flat-topped pebble. This will assist in starting the game with keen ice and help in keeping the speed consistent to the last end. (Learning to properly "clip" pebble with your power scraper takes time and patience so don't get discouraged)

   You have to learn what pebble works best for your stones and your ice temperature. What works well in your club may not work in another club. Each club's stones are different. Quoting what John Williamson, American National Ice Tech, said to me once: "Just when you got the feel for what pebble works well with what curling stones at what ice temperature, something new arises that tosses all the theories out the window."

  Remember to experiment with what you have to work with. Not all clubs can afford the best of equipment. If you have any theories, suggestions, or comments, drop me a line.

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