SUNDAY 2 AUGUST 2026 - WHEELCHAIR CURLING
Wheelchair curling is an adaptation of curling for athletes with a disability affecting their lower limbs or gait. Sweeping in curling is a determining factor for achieving better results, but it is not allowed in wheelchair curling. As a result, throws in wheelchair curling must be very accurate to score points against an opponent. Wheelchair curling is a tricky and difficult winter sport.
History
Wheelchair curling began in Europe in the late 1990s and was included in the 2000 World Handi Ski Championship in Crans-Montana, Switzerland. Switzerland and Sweden were the only countries represented, with two teams from Switzerland and one from Sweden.
The first Wheelchair Curling World Championship was in Sursee, Switzerland in 2002, and won by the host nation who beat Canada 7-6 in the final. Since 2006, it became one of the sports in the Winter Paralympic Games.
Wheelchair curling is governed by World Curling (www.worldcurling.org) based in Scotland and Curling Australia in Australia (www.curling.org.au).
Rules
Wheelchair curling follows standard World Curling rules with two major differences: no sweeping is allowed, and stones must be delivered from a stationary wheelchair.
Teams take turns sliding 19.96kg granite stones down the ice to get closest to the centre target, known as the house. A teammate is permitted to hold or stabilize the thrower’s wheelchair from behind during execution.
Players use a specialized-length pole/extender attached to push the handle, releasing the stone before the hog line. The hog line in curling is a visible line marked on the ice, requiring players to completely release the stone's handle before it crosses this boundary.
There are eight ends or rounds in wheelchair curling. Only one team scores points in each end - the team with the stone (or stones) closest to the centre (the button).
Events
In 2026 the World Wheelchair-B Curling Championship 2026 will be held in the Kisakallio Campus in Lohja-Finland from 22-30 November 2026. In 2027 the World Championship Wheelchair Curling will take place as one of the first Paralympic qualification rounds, but so far the location is unknown.
In Australia
Wheelchair curling is played in Brisbane (Boondall Ice World www.queenslandcurling.org), Perth (Cockburn Arena www.curlingwa.com.au) and Melbourne (O’Brien Icehouse www.curlingvictoria.org.au). When you have interest in finding out more about Wheelchair Curling, you can contact us (parasportsupport@gmail.com) or Curling Australia (secretary@curling.org.au).
When you start, a volunteer instructor will take the time to introduce the techniques to you gradually and let you learn to throw the stones and practice before starting to play games.
Video courtesy of Paralympics Australia
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