Frequently Asked Questions

We’ve put together a list of the most common questions regarding registration and the league.  Take a look below, if you can’t find the answer you’re looking for, hit the contact button.  

Season & Play

Proper footwear:

Clean athletic shoes or curling shoes, boots aren’t permitted, so please wear only clean shoes on the ice. Club grippers are intended for rentals and novice curlers; we recommend visiting the Vancouver Curling Club Pro Shop to purchase your own grippers or curling shoes.

Curling broom:

A broom is a great investment and strongly recommended. Club brooms are available to rent at the VCC for beginner curlers with a minimum $20 donation for the season (donation box located in the club).

Appropriate clothing:

You’ll be sweeping hard out there! Breathable layers help keep you warm without overheating, and stretchy athletic pants will help you slide your best – leave the jeans at home. To help keep the ice clean, please avoid clothing that sheds.

Draws for the 2026/27 season run Sundays at 12:00 PM and 2:15 PM, and Mondays at 6:45 PM or 9:00 PM. You’ll play one of these slots each week, with at least one bye per round.

You can expect to play around 21 games over the season. Each team should expect 7–8 Monday evening games, with 3–4 falling at the 9:00 PM slot, organizers aim to balance this evenly across all divisions.

You can learn more about season schedule at prcl.ca/draw

The season is broken down into four parts: Round One, from September to November; Round Two, from November to January; Round Three, from January to March; and Playoffs from March to April.

During Round One, teams are placed into divisions based on skill level and play each other in a round-robin format, accumulating points based on their results. Before Round Two begins, some teams will move up or down depending on their points.

Round Two follows the same round-robin format within your updated division. At the end of Round Two, teams may again move up or down based on their total accumulated points before Round Three begins. Round Three follows the same format and determines your division heading into the Playoffs.

The Playoffs is where you compete to win your division! For the 2026/27 season, it will consist of a single elimination knockout bracket. Win consecutive games in a row to top your division; one loss and your summer will start early.
 
For full rules and details, please see the League Rules and Bylaws page.

This year the draw (schedule) is available through League Buddy. You’ll receive an invitation email with instructions on setting up your account.  See more on prcl.ca/draw

We expect to have the Round 1 Draw ready by the end of August/Sept 1.  You will be able to access via our new platform League Buddy – details will be shared to members by email.  

This season our new league management platform, League Buddy will replace the old WhatsApp chat. It’s faster, fairer, and takes the chaos out of finding last minute fill-ins.

For spares: Once registered, you can post your availability in advance so teams know when you’re free to play. Your profile will include your skill level other relevant details to help ensure you’re matched with the right teams.  You can choose to receive invitations by email, SMS (coming soon), or both.

For skips and thirds: Use the “Find a Spare” function to browse available spares and choose whoever best fits your team’s needs. You can send invitations to multiple spares at once to speed things up. Once a spare accepts, the spot is claimed and other recipients are automatically blocked from accepting the same invitation.

Planning ahead is encouraged. If you know you have a vacation coming up, you can sort your spares as soon as the draw comes out.  

Skips and thirds are welcome to find spares through their own networks as well, as long as those individuals are registered with the PRCL or VCC.

Teams are ranked using a combination of a scoring system and human review, designed to reflect both individual skill levels and past team performance.

How it works:

  • Players rank their own skill level and years of curling experience during registration.
  • Prior season team finishing position contributes to the score.
  • These factors are weighted to generate an overall team score. Teams are then ranked accordingly, with the top 9 placed in Division A, the next 9 in Division B, and so on.

Once score-based rankings are complete, the competition committee reviews the results and makes adjustments as needed.

League Buddy for PRCL Members

Visit https://prcl.leaguebuddy.ca

Login with your email address and password. 

You must be invited to League Buddy to access the PRCL.  Please email info@prcl.ca to get setup or if you have any trouble. 

 

We recommend everyone updates their profile with correct information.  Your skill level and fields provided at registration have been carried over.  

  1. Login to league buddy at prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. Click on “My Profile”
  3. Make necessary updates.  Change privacy settings.  
  4. Click Save Profile button at the bottom of the page. 

 

 

Please strive to record all game results within 24 hours of the game.  

Any player from the competing teams may record the result.   Please designate someone responsible for your team.  

  1.  Login to League Buddy at prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. When you arrive at your dashboard, you will see a “Games pending score” dialogue box.  Click “Enter a Score”
  3. Record the W/L/T result from the drop down box.  
  4. If you make an error, please email the draw master at info@prcl.ca 

If you do not see the Record A Score alert, click on your schedule.  Completed games without scores will have a button inline.  

  1.  Login to League Buddy and prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. From your home screen, click “View My Team” 
  3. Scroll down to your Schedule 
  4. To the right of each game line is a “Forfeit” button.  Click this button to record and confirm the forfeit.   

Note: See updated rules, forfeit result in 0 points.  

  1. Login to League Buddy at prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. Click View my Spare Requests button
  3. In the top right, click When I can’t Play button 

You will then have the option to block out date ranges, times or specific draws in the current round.  We recommend you select the draws you can not support.  

  1. Login to League Buddy at prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. Click View my Spare Requests button from the dashboard screen 
  3. Toggle “Received Requests” 
  4. A list of pending requests will be displayed for you to review.   
  5. Click Accept Request to accept.  The team will be notified and the game will be added to your schedule.  

Note: Once you accept a request you will be removed from availability and other requests will be terminated. 

  1. Login to League Buddy at prcl.leaguebuddy.ca
  2. Click on the “View My Team” button 
  3. You will see your team schedule and buttons on the top.  Select Find a Spare 
  4. Select the game you are looking to fill 
  5. The system will filter the available spares, you may sort by skill level and other variables. 
  6. Click the box next to each spare you wish to contact.  You may send a message to as many spares as you like.  
  7. Add a message if you desire
  8. Click Send Requests button

Requests will be sent.  

You will see your pending requests on the Find a Spare page.  

Once a spare accepts, you will be notified.  This will then remove the spare from the availability list.  

Note there is a cut-off period of 4 hours before any scheduled game to request, cancel or accept a spare request.  

League & Registration

Curling is a great, life long sport you can learn at any time. 

Throughout the season, the PRCL hosts Pride Try Curling Events — follow us on Instagram to keep informed on the next event, we’d love to see you on the ice. 

The Vancouver Curling Club and Marpole Curling club, supported by the PRCL hosts Pride Try Curling events and workshops.

Pride Drop-In Program   

Learn to Curl Programs 

For curlers joining the PRCL as a beginner: basic instruction session is offered before the season starts, and organizers support beginner teams through their first few games.  We do recommend getting extra ice time to help along your skills by participating in the programs listed above.  

We’re excited about your interest! Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned curler, everyone is welcome. 

We do our best to match players based on skill to new or existing teams; each season several new curlers join the league.

A basic instruction session is offered before the season starts, and organizers support beginner teams through their first few games.

For extra ice time and skill development, we recommend taking advantage of a Learn to Curl program and/or the Pride Drop-In Programs.

If you’d like to join the PRCL, register during General Registration: select “Beginner” as your skill level and enter “Find Me a Team” in the team name field.  

Join our mailing list and follow the PRCL for registration updates. If you have any additional questions, shoot us an email at info@prcl.ca or click the Contact menu link.  

No problem.  New curlers and those with prior experience are both welcome to join during General Registration. When registering, enter “Find Me a Team” in the team name field, and we’ll do our best to match you with other curlers or teams looking for additional members.

The more the merrier! Register during General Registration, include your friend’s name in the comment field (e.g., “Joining with [Name]”), and enter “Find Me a Team” in the team name field.  We’ll do our best to match you both with a team looking for players, or help form a new team with other players in the same situation.

Register during General Registration and make sure all team members complete the registration process.

If your team doesn’t have at least 3 of the 4 returning members from last season with the same skip, you’re welcome to join during General Registration. Every situation is a little different, so please get in touch if you have questions we’re happy to help sort out the details.

The total cost for the 2026/27 season is $422 per curler.  This includes:

  • PRCL Annual Membership ($362)
  • Vancouver Curling Club Fee ($31)*
  • CurlBC Fee ($24)*
  • Curling Canada Fee ($5)*

Every player pays the same membership fee, no matter your team size.  Your membership fee helps cover:

  • Annual Membership in the Pacific Rim Curling League Society
  • Ice fees for all your games
  • Special events and socials
  • Community engagement, including curling development & legacy
  • The everyday operations that keep our league running smoothly

While not immediately required, we do recommend purchasing curling shoes and broom.  See below for “What equipment do I need?”.   Curling shoes can range from $100-$300 and brooms $90-$200.  

You may be asked to self-assess your skill level during registration or for special events. 

Refer to our self assessment guidelines page. 

Spare registration will open following General Registration, plan for late July or the beginning of August.  You will find a registration link on our homepage.  Follow us on Instagram for updates on when this opens, and check back frequently.  

Spares are low-intermediate level or above curlers who want to play occasionally rather than commit to a full season on a team.  Every situation may be little different, so If you’re not sure about your skill level to be eligible to spare, please contact us. 

Membership cost for spares this season is $160, inclusive of the fees listed on our homepage. 

More details on how it works to spare for the PRCL are in other FAQ’s and will be reflected in our rules.