Learning Curls From the Best

Nelson Ede is the development officer for the only dedicated indoor curling rink in the Southern Hemisphere, which is located in Naseby, Central Otago. Ede is currently in Canada at the 211 Tim Hortons Brier curling championships assisting with a local ice technician crew. Naseby itself only has a population of 12 “when everyone’s home,” but there are around 3 curling clubs within an hour’s drive — all outdoor venues. Ede is “trying to improve the scope of all curling in New Zealand,” with icemaking a volunteer part of his job. “It’s the finer points of competition icemaking I’m trying to gain,” Ede said. “We host national and international events, but in the past the NZCA has brought in icemakers from overseas, mostly Canada. I hope to pass on some of the skills I’m picking up here.”