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Wheelchair curlers break barriers

Richard Dudek explains extender stick, and Skip Chris Sobkowicz delivers a draw
video: Krista Simonson

Timeline

Manitoba's Wheelchair Curling team heads into its final end of the season this weekend.

The foursome will compete in the 2007 Canadian Nationals in Ottawa against teams from Ontario, Alberta and B.C.

Lead Effie Loubardas, second Richard Dudek, third Dennis Thiessen and skip Chris Sobkowicz call the West Kildonan Curling Club home. They've been playing four times a week in preparation for the double round-robin this weekend.

"We actually do quite well in the Friday night able-bodied league. Our record is 16 and 2," says Dudek with a laugh.

Wheelchair curling has been gaining momentum worldwide. It made its first appearance at the Torino Paralympics in 2006. Perhaps not surprisingly, Team Canada dominated and brought home the gold in a 7-4 final against Great Britain.

Another breakthrough in the sport came just last week.

Skip Michael McCreadie and his team, who lost to Canada in the Torino final, hoisted the Shanter Trophy in Scotland - the first time a wheelchair rink has won a major competition against able-bodied curlers.

Six ends instead of eight

There are a few differences between wheelchair and regular curling.

In wheelchair curling the games are six ends instead of eight, teams must include both genders, and all players must use a wheelchair in everyday life.

The biggest difference? No sweeping.

To help the curler deliver the rock, he or she uses an extender stick, which clamps onto the handle of the rock and allows for maneuverability to complete 'in' and 'out' turns.

Dudek would like to parlay recent interest in the sport into greater participation. His aim is to have four full teams of wheelchair curlers at his club. To boost recruiting he conducts workshops within the Seven Oaks School Division.

"We're relatively new and we want to grow. Of course, to make the sport grow, we want to bring young people in," he says.

Boosting player numbers is especially important now that the West Kildonan Curling Club has won its bid to host the Wheelchair Curling Nationals next March. As host, Manitoba will be eligible to enter two teams.

"If Saskatchewan gets a team together like they're hoping, we could potentially have a bonspiel of six or seven teams. That's a good opportunity for us."

While the Manitoba Wheelchair Sports Association pays for the team's ice time, significant sponsorship and support is needed for next year's nationals. If you would like to help or become a player contact Richard Dudek.

Meanwhile, the team likes its chances in Ottawa this weekend.

"We're comfortable together as a team. We're ready to get on that plane and do what we have to do to bring it home."

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