Curling

 Roco Solare

I will introduce a Japanese famous curling team Roco Solare.

Roco Solare was established by Mari Honbashi who experienced winter Olympic games in 2010. Mari Honbashi wanted curling to become popular. Also, Kitami didn’t have many people who could do curling on a global level so she supported young curlers.

Roco Solare won the third place in the Winter Olympics in Korea and won second place in the Winter Olympics in China. For these achievements, you will realize that the team is very strong.

The team is famous for Mogu-Mogu time. In Mogu-Mogu time, they were introduced on TV, eating a famous food, Akaisairo in Kitami. That is why it became so popular.

Where can you curl?

You can enjoy curling in many places. For example, Dougin curling stadium, Adovicks Tokoro curling hall, Moseushi curling hall, and more.

Dougin curling stadium is open from 10 to 9 o’clock. It is near Tsukisamu Station. You can go there easily. The parking area is free for everyone.

Adovicks Tokoro curling hall is open from 10 to 10 o’clock. Please be careful since it is closed on Mondays. It is in Kitami city so it is far away from Sapporo. But it is a big hall so you might feel a sense of liberation.

Moseushi curling hall is open from 10 to 10 o’clock. But on Saturdays and Sundays, it is open from 10 to 9 o’clock. You have to pay a fee. If you are a beginner, you can be mentored by making a reservation.

There are many curling halls in Hokkaido. You should enjoy curling! Let’s go!

The history of curling

<The Beginning of Curling>

About 500 years ago, some people played in a similar way to Scottish curling which was the prototype. Also, when children were sliding stones on frozen land, adults who saw it developed it as a sport.

At that time, it was said that the rule of sliding a flat-bottomed stone over the frozen water was established in Canada about 200 years ago.

The name “curling” was established in writing in Scotland in 630.

<Spread as a sport>

At first, it was a local game that was enjoyed by neighbors, but eventually it spread to city, region, and country-specific competition. It became a popular sport in the cold regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

These days, 64 countries and regions belong to the World Curling Federation (WCF) and it is enjoyed all over the world.

<History in Japan>

The origin of curling is said to be in 1936, many athletes who participated in the Winter Olympics held in Germany brought the sport back to Japan and a demonstration was held at Lake Suwa in Nagano Prefecture.

The following year, the Yamanakako Water Carnival Festival was held at Lake Yamanaka on January 17th, in 1937. Also, it led to first curling tournament for Japan.