Adaptive curling is expanding access to recreation in Midland

For many families of children and adults with physical or developmental differences, recreational sports can feel limited or out of reach. Cost, facility design, transportation, and a lack of trained instructors often create barriers. In smaller communities, adaptive programs can be even harder to find.

In Midland, local recreation leaders are testing a solution that uses an unlikely winter sport to close that gap.

On March 7, the Greater Midland Community Center, in partnership with the City of Midland Parks and Recreation, will host a free “Adaptive Learn to Curl” event at the Greater Midland Curling Center. Designed for participants ages 8 and up, the program introduces athletes with limited mobility to curling in a format built specifically around accessibility.

“Curling is a highly adaptable sport–adaptive curling is part of the Paralympic Games–which gives people with many types of disabilities a chance to have fun on the ice and develop new skills,” says Andrea Secrease, executive director of Greater Midland Community Center, Curling Center, and Corporate Wellness. 

Unlike many winter sports, curling does not depend on speed, endurance, or physical strength. Instead, the game emphasizes strategy, accuracy, and teamwork. Athletes concentrate on these aspects rather than strength, making it an inclusive sport for people of varying abilities.

Participants with limited mobility, including those who use wheelchairs, can deliver the curling stone using a telescoping stick that allows them to push and rotate it from a seated position. The ice surface remains the same. The rules remain the same. The competition remains intact.

“We’re excited to collaborate with great partners as we all strive to expand access to sport and recreation opportunities. We welcome our friends and neighbors in the disability community to give curling a try,” says Secrease.

For those who love the sport and want to keep curling, there’s a free adaptive curling league called “Andy’s League” that meets every Saturday from 9 to 11 a.m. from November to March at the Greater Midland Curling Center. Named in honor of Andy Young, a passionate curler with disabilities, the league was founded by his father, Gregg, to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for all curlers.

If you’re interested in new of more adaptive sports in the area, take a look at another Confluence article focused on the subject.