Floor curling experience at Hokuryu Town Himawari University (Senior Citizens' University) - a fun time filled with smiles and laughter

Monday, January 20, 2020

On Thursday, January 16th, a "Floor Curling Experience" course was held by staff from the Hokuryu Town Board of Education at the Hokuryu Town Himawari University, a university for the elderly, in the large hall of the Hokuryu Town Community Center.

This year has been unusually mild with little snow. One local said, "I've lived here for 80 years, but this is the first time I've seen a year with so little snow."

Floor Curling Experience - Hokuryu Town Himawari University

The January 2020 course was a "floor curling" experience led by two Board of Education staff members, Naoki Kishi, Social Education Officer, and Riki Shimizuno, Social Physical Education Officer and Social Education Officer. Over 40 Himawari University students gathered in the main hall and enjoyed their first floor curling experience.

Moderator: Mr. Naoki Kishi, Social Education Officer, Hokuryu Town Board of Education

Mr. Kishi from the Board of Education acted as the master of ceremonies, and a student representative shouted, "Stand up! Bow!" Then everyone recited the Hokuryu Town Citizen's Charter and the Hokuryu Town Himawari University School Regulations.

Everyone read out the Hokuryu Town Citizens' Charter and the Hokuryu Town Himawari University School Regulations

warm-up exercise

First, we will do some warm-up exercises under the guidance of Shimizuno.

Slowly stretch your arms, neck, waist, and legs, then finish by taking a deep breath.

What is Floor Curling?

This indoor sport originated in Shintoku Town, Hokkaido. Players compete to see who can throw a wooden flocker with casters at a wooden target.

tools

The equipment used is a green target (with four casters) and a red and yellow flocker (with three casters). The target has a high degree of straightness, while the flocker can bend the trajectory depending on how you throw it.

Target and Flocker

Game Description

Mr. Kishi gave a general explanation of the floor curling game.

player

This time, since it was a trial session, we used special rules instead of the regular rules. Players were divided into four teams of 10 people each.

coat

Two courts are set up, and the two teams take turns throwing the ball once each.

How to play the game

・This is a trial session, so there are special rules.
・The first team will be decided by rock-paper-scissors between the representatives of both teams.
The first team throws the target. The thrower then throws the flocker so that it stops as close to the target as possible.
Each team will take turns playing one ball at a time.
Each team throws four balls, for a total of eight. The team with the closest flocker to the target wins.

game

Several games were played with the opposing teams changing.

In close matches, the winner is determined by measuring the distance with a tape measure.

Smiles, cheers and applause

It was hard to believe it was everyone's first time, as they quickly got the hang of it and cheered loudly every time they got close to the target!!! From start to finish, smiles, cheers and applause filled the entire venue.

Shimizuno's talk: Tips on how to use a flocker

The green target has four casters, so it goes straight, but the yellow and red flockers have three casters, so even if you throw it straight towards the target, it will curve halfway. This rotation has the characteristic that it curves to the right if you throw it clockwise, and to the left if you throw it counterclockwise. "Try to take advantage of this characteristic when throwing," says Shimizuno.

A speech by Naoki Kishi, Social Education Officer at the Hokuryu Town Board of Education

"The equipment we used this time was borrowed from the Board of Education of the neighboring town of Numata. There is a floor curling club in Numata, and it seems to be a popular sport.

When I was working at my previous job, I held a floor curling tournament in Fukagawa City. About 50 people participated and it was a very lively event. If there is an interest in holding one in Hokuryu Town, I would be happy to help.

"I would like to continue holding trial sessions if the opportunity arises, so I hope you will continue to support me," said Kishi.

Himawari University: What everyone thought

"It was so much fun!"
"It was so much fun making a fuss!"
"It doesn't require as much force as you might think, but even when I think I'm throwing it straight, it curves, so I feel like I need to get the hang of it."
"If I have the chance, I'd like to play again!"

We send our boundless love, gratitude, and smiles to "floor curling," an indoor sport that can be enjoyed regardless of the season, even in winter, and a fun sport that brings smiles and laughter to everyone, regardless of age.

Other photos

▶ Photos (67 photos) here >>

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・Riki Shimizuno of Hokuryu Town Board of Education participated in the World Junior B Curling Championships(December 27, 2019)

◇ Photography and editing: Noboru Terauchi Interview and text: Ikuko Terauchi