12:15 pm. Volunteers are busy preparing the curling track. The snow on the ice is swept away. The target is drawn on the natural ice with two brushes. More and more participants have gathered in the arena. Proudly, they take out their curling ‘stones’. The competition is about to start. Two students, Jorien van Lambalgen and Jorrit Heikamp, are the self-assigned event organizers. ‘We thought it would be fun and it was easy to organize. You can curl with things found in every student’s home.’
Water kettle
The first water kettle sweeps across the ice. But its handle breaks off and hurtles across the path like a projectile. Then, one of the athletes tries with a bicycle saddle. This alternative curling stone does not seem to have enough momentum at first. Two sweepers work desperately to make the ice smoother, while the spectators hold their breaths. One of the sweepers loses his balance in his enthusiasm and lands flat on the ice. The other carries on sweeping as if his life depended on it. The rusty bicycle part comes to a standstill, ten metres short of the target. Cheers ring out. Pans, pots and a wok also take to the ice. Even camping gas burners are being slid across the ice track. Water-filled kettles with sturdy handles and the bicycle saddle turn out to be the best curling stones among the lot. After half an hour’s strive, it is clear which the best curling team on natural ice in Wageningen is. Time for awarding the medals: two Snickers and a Bounty. If the ice is thick enough next year, the WACC will be organized again. But, says Jorien, it has to remain informal. ‘Real curling stones are strictly forbidden.’