In 2000, John Bennett was asked by his son to think up a sport that disabled people could all enjoy. It was while watching the Curling World Championships on television that John came up with the idea of New Age Kurling, an indoor version of the existing game.

He thought about using a discus with a handle and bearings so it could slide along the ground. He invented pushers and ramps to allow people of all abilities to launch the kurling stones as well as vinyl mats as targets.

What started as a sporting idea for disabled people quickly became popular with able-bodied persons too, and for the first time disabled people can play with or against able-bodied people on an equal level.

The sport is now played all over the world, with national and international competitions. By 2009 indoor curling will be enjoyed in 174 countries and John hopes for it to become a paralympic sport in 2012.

And now in 2009 Kurling is finally available in Canada! It is already proving to be a hit in schools, senior centres, and rehab centres. From “Intergenerational Days” at senior centres, to curling associations promoting the ice version of the sport, to schools that want their students to learn more about Canada’s “other” winter Olympic sport, Kurling equipment is being enjoyed across the country!

It is also the equipment of choice of the Capital One™ Rocks & Rings program.