A curling adaptive sports day organised by Special Olympics New Zealand and the Otago Secondary Schools Sports Association (OSSA) took place for students from across Otago yesterday (Thursday August 3).

Ten students from Dunstan High School (DHS), Wānaka’s Te Kura o Titira Mt Aspiring College (MAC), and Tapanui’s Blue Mountain School met at Alexandra’s IceInline to give the sport a go.

OSSA Central Otago events and competitions coordinator Megan Anderson, together with Special Olympics regional sports coordinator lower South Island Chris Moffitt collaborated to put the curling day together. 

An experienced curler of approximately 40 years, Alexandra curler John gave the students instructions on how to be safe on the ice, how to curl a stone using a special pole, along with how to sweep with a broom to speed up a stone’s slide. 

DHS student Brooklyn (18) enjoyed the experience. 

Comments from the students about curling were: “it’s fun”, “cold” and “hard to get to the end”.

DHS student Tessa (15) used some power behind her stone.

MAC student Lachlan (17) was one of the first to have a turn. 

Students who travelled from Wānaka and Tapanui arrived at 10.30am for morning tea and met the DHS students.

Everyone slid on the rubber shoe grips required, listened to a short briefing, and eagerly entered the indoor curling rink. The curling fun and games ran until 1pm. 

Megan said OSSA planned to run an adaptive sports day every term for students; it was badminton and touch last term, and swimming would run next term.

Organisers thanked Sport Otago, Otago Community Trust, Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust South and Aotearoa Gaming Trust for their support and making this event possible.