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Post date: Feb 14, 2017 1:48:53 PM
Tim Locking sends a test bowl to check the unstretched carpet speed
PETERBOROUGH, Egham, Lincoln, Erewash and St Neots indoor bowls clubs all have something in common. They are among the top ten in the UK in terms of speed of carpet surface, writes Stamford IBC press officer Bob Warters.
All run at around 18.2 seconds - the time it takes for a size five (Drakes Pride Professional) bowl for example, delivered down a calibrated-angled chute, to roll on a perfect arc to a jack placed at 27 metres.
Not a lot of people know that!
More fascinating facts emerged when indoor carpet specialists Dales sent their representatives Tim Locking and Craig Thorn this week to stretch Stamford IBC's 6-rink carpet as part of the club's twice-yearly maintenance contract to keep the surface running smooth, true and fast.
Before the pair began the process - using specialist equipment (pictured left) on the outside of rinks one and six to grip and stretch the edges of the carpet taut and take up the slack on the hidden side-ditch grippers - bowls rolled over the carpet were running at 17.6 seconds, about average for most six-rink indoor greens.
By the time they had completed the task, the surface was running 0.3 of a second faster (17.9 seconds) over its 27 metres curved path. It may not sound much but is equivalent to the bowl rolling 1.37 metres further, compared to a bowl delivered with identical momentum.
"Some clubs carry out their own pace measurements not only to maintain an even carpet speed but also to improve the line of the bowl to the jack," says Tim, who added that he and his colleague follow a tried and test method for most of their clients. He also emphasised that cleanliness of the carpet is vitally important.
"Some surfaces we deal with have a wooden base over which can be maintained to an accurate speed but with a concrete base dust can build up within the weave to slow the surface down. It is no coincidence that the fastest carpets are also the cleanest.
" We recommend vacuuming it with the appropriate equipment every week (and ideally regularly both directions) and particularly in the summer months when clubs tend to leave doors open to let in fresh air. Of course, this also lets in dust and pollen from outside."
One of the frequent questions asked of him is: "Does the carpet run faster or slower when the inside temperature is cold or warm?"
" It depends," says Tim, "there is no straight-forward answer. It depends not only on temperature but humidity, foot traffic where the carpet has been walked on, twisting foot movement and static electricity."
All these factors he agrees, can 'slow up a carpet' adding that a carpet will often feel it is bowling more freely first thing in the morning when the weave is cool and tight compared to later in the day when it warms up and expands. Other times the humidity can change the pace.
If the two are changed simultaneously a carpet and new underlay can take up to two years to get back up to speed. But as long as members are warned in advance it shouldn't cause a problem.So how does the Stamford surface compare in playing terms with others in the country?Many visiting players, including the top names who have competed in national competitions and the club's annual Open Singles, applaud the pace of the Stamford surface which, they say, allows them to play a wider variety of shots than on a faster or slower carpet.It is also, at 36.5 metres, an average length for a six-rink facility, compared with Redcar IBC a 42-metre four-rinker and Grantham IBC also among the top ten longest in the country at approaching 40 metres.
The UK's biggest greens are the 12-rink facility at Aberdeen, the 11-rinkers at Dolphin (Poole) and Bournmouth, the 10-rink Cumbria stadium and the 9-rinker in Bristol.
It is also widely recognised that end rinks bowl marginally slower than middle rinks even though it is on the outer flanks where stretching is initiated. As a result some clubs request extra work to keep all rinks even.Other parts of Dales' regular maintenance visits include checking rink centering measurements, replacing rink number markers (left) and stringing the ends to ensure the Ts and guidance dots are plumb centre on each rink (below left). These can move up to about 2-3 centimetres depending on the stretching. Clubs like Stamford with re-spots either side of the 'T' adjust them to their own specification.So how long will a carpet last? If it is looked after, cleaned properly and stretched at regular intervals, Dales reckon a carpet can last up to 18 years, including having it turned over and new grippers fitted halfway through that cycle. They usually recommend a change of underlay after about nine years.
Meanwhile, Stamford continues to attract more than its fair share of plaudits, not only because of its facility, but its quality of players from its juniors and novices through to its competitive seniors and its friendly atmosphere.It may not have the fastest carpet in the country but it's not slow to put out the welcome mat!Pictured left: Craig Thorn and Tim Locking.
FOOTNOTE: Currently Derek King and Bob Warters share the voluntary duties of vacuuming the playing surface and ditches. However, the club is considering introducing a more frequent cleaning regime. Members prepared to volunteer the occasional one-hour shift, for example, from 8.00 to 9.00am on a Monday or Friday should contact Bob, who will draw up a rota.
For further information about Dales surfaces and services contact Dales Sports Surfaces Ltd., Sharpes Lane, Leverton, Boston PE22 0AR (Tel: 01205 761066.)
(Images by Bob Warters)
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