Feature Story

Glen Verdegan, left, Dave Shepro and John Niemeier
stand outside of a home in St. Peter with eisstocks in their hands. A warm, snowy Dec. 27 prevented them from playing a unique game on the ice called Eisstockschiessen, or Bavarian Curling. Below, in a photo from 1956, Niemeier, left, looks on as a playing partner launches an
eisstock at Lakeside Park,
Fond du Lac.

by Katie Kleine

   Eisstockschiessen, better known as Bavarian Curling, is not your average sport. Dating back hundreds of years, it is unlike football, golf, track and field, or baseball. The Austrian/Bavarian style of curling is unique, too, in that anyone can learn it and compete, regardless of age or experience.
   Three examples of this are John Niemeier, who began curling in Bavaria in 1942 at the age of ten, Glen Verdegan, who started at the age of 70, in 2000, and Dave Shepro, who began at age 67 in 2005. The trio, who reside in the St. Peter and Taycheedah area, partake in the sport for many of the same reasons.
   "Exercise, fresh air, camaraderie and friendly competition are reasons we enjoy this," said Dave. "And to have some bragging rights and time to kid around!"
   While larger competitions boast larger trophies, these local competitors play for a modest sum of money...25 cents.
   The three friends agree that learning to curl is the easy part.
   "It's similar to Bocce Ball or bowling," said Dave. "I was scared to go over and learn at first, but after about 15 minutes, I got the hang of it."
   Those participating are divided into two teams consisting of four to seven players each. One team distinguishes its implements by putting a colored tassel around the neck of the eisstock - the strange-looking object that is launched from a starting point on the ice.
   The implement consists of three parts: the handle - gripped by the player, the body, where the weight lies, and the sole, the part of the eisstock that makes contact with the ice.
   The object of the game is to slide the eisstock as close to the daube (a wooden block about 5" x 5").

The sliding motion is similar to that of throwing a bowling ball, only the eisstock is kept very near to the ice and slid - not tossed.
   Players can use their eisstock to hit an opponent's eisstock out of the way in order to get closer to the daube. Players can also bank their shots, as one would in a game of pool.
   At times, the wooden block will get hit and moved by an implement. Players still need to get their eisstock as close to the daube, wherever it may come to rest. The player slides his eisstock a distance of 100 feet or more to the daube.
    The team that finishes the game with three eisstocks closest to the daube, wins a game. A team must win two games in a row to win a match.
   "Sometimes you have to measure because it's too close to tell," said John. "My eyesight is not so good anymore so I often think I am the closest!"
   Each eisstock weighs approximately 15 pounds. The heavier or lighter the eisstock, the more it contributes to the speed of the implement. Also contributing to the speed of the implement is the sliding soles which can be interchanged to slide slower or faster depending on the position needed for the game.
   The cost of an eisstock is approximately $180 and comes with several different soles.
   While the game is often played on an indoor rink, John, Glen, Dave and other fellow players from the area play outdoors on natural ice. The trio begins their season in Koehler because the body of water on which they play is very shallow - only three or so feet thick. It is usually the first of their playing surfaces to freeze. Later in the season they move to different locations where the ice is safe to traverse.
   "We wish we could be inside," said Glen. "Sometimes we go out in pretty rough weather."
   Finding others to join the team proves to be the most difficult aspect of the sport, locally. While years ago there was a curling league in Fond du Lac, the three travel to Kohler, Wood Lake and Sheboygan to find partners and competitors.
   "We could use about six to eight players locally," said Glen. "We would gladly teach new members."
If interested in learning a new sport and joining the local players for fun, exercise and a chance to win 25 cents, contact Glen at 922-7264 or John at 921-1941.

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