Depending on who you ask, wheelchair curling (which was first played competitively in 2002, and is growing in popularity) is either the coolest or the lamest sport ever invented - adapted or otherwise. Don’t be a hater, I say. Just because curling and wheelchair curling are non-aerobic sports, and people of all ages can compete at the same level (no matter how old or pregnant they may be), one should not think the sport is any less skilled or difficult.
Strategy and precision are what counts, and the wheelchair curlers have it in spades. This is why you should definitely check this sport out next month 
when the Vancouver 2010 Paralympics begin (wheelchair curling “round robin” competitions begin March 12th). Even this fabulous Paralympic artwork of wheelchair curling (right) is getting me excited for the games to start.
And not that it matters much but I feel compelled to say it anyways - I’m pretty sure that for an able-bodied person to really enjoy this sport, they’ll need prior appreciation of able-bodied curling to really get into it and to respect the athletes (because doing what they do with limited mobility is not easy). And (segue) if you‘re into sexy dudes, you gotta check-out James Joseph. He’s on the USA wheelchair curling team and is a double amputee. He looks like a certifiable bad boy, which is probably why I like him (when will I ever get over bad boys?).
Wheelchair curling definitely has some different rules when compared to able-bodied curling, but the two sports are also similar. For example, wheelchair curlers in the Vancouver Paralympics will use the same ice that the curlers used in the Olympic games. They also use the same style of rocks/stones. And they get six of them, and need to get them as close together too.
The most noticeable difference between the sports is the absence of sweeping. Also, two athletes are only allowed to participate in each play, and you MUST be in a wheelchair. And are wheelchair curlers who use manual chairs only allowed to participate in the Paralympics? From all the pictures I’ve seen of the sport at the Paralympic level, I have yet to see a powerchair on the curling ice. I wonder what the rules are on this. Anyone know? Is it similar to how wheelchairs in general aren’t allowed on putting greens because they’ll ruin them?
Since NBC shows none of the Paralympics, Vancouver Paralympic coverage can be found on Paralympic Sport TV, March 12th - 21st.
- Wheelchair
Curling: Meet Paralympian Patrick McDonald
- Accessible
Vancouver, Paralympics 2010 City
- London
Ramps up Accessibility for 2012 Paralympics
