Broom
The curling broom is used to sweep the ice surface in front of the rock. Fast sweeping momentarily melts the ice, which lessens friction, so stops the rock slowing down and it straightens it’s path. The broom also cleans debris off the ice, which keeps the rock on the right path. The skip will also hold a broom at the end of the rink opposite the delivering player as a target to aim the rock toward.
Curling brooms may have fabric, hog hair, or horsehair heads. Most top quality brooms are now from light materials like carbon fibre to allow for fast sweeping. allowing faster sweeping.
Brooms are also used by most curlers as a balancing aid during delivery of the stone.