COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KOAA) — A Paralympic swimmer and para equestrian is discovering a new passion on the ice after trying wheelchair curling for the first time with the help of the Broadmoor Curling Club in Colorado Springs.
Aspen Shelton, who is blind and uses a wheelchair, said she was nervous heading into the experience but came away impressed with how it went.
"I was worried how I was going to do it too because I'm blind, so I was like, I don't know how this is going to go, but it went really well," said Shelton.
Shelton said her athletic background is rooted in warm-weather competition.
"I am more of a summer sport athlete. Like that's what I know. It's what I've done since I was a kid, and learning a winter sport has been really, really fun, totally different than anything I've ever done," said Shelton.
The Broadmoor Curling Club hosts clinics for those who want to learn adaptive curling. Curling instructor Jean Otto said wheelchair curlers rely heavily on their upper body to deliver the stone.
"They have to find a way to figure out that muscle rotation of turning their body to get enough torque on the stone to get it down 94 ft into the house down at the other end," said Otto.
Otto said Shelton's performance during the clinic was remarkable, especially given that she had no visual reference point to aim at.
"She had no idea where Matt was, and yet she was throwing just amazing stones. She would landed in the 12 foot or the 8 foot or on the button or she was throwing guards, whatever she needed to do. She doesn't have something to aim at, so her body has to tell her how to throw and where to throw and when to throw and all of that kind of stuff. She was miraculous," said Otto.
For Shelton, the experience is an introduction to the world of winter Paralympic sport, and she has a message for anyone considering giving it a shot.
"Do it. There's nothing stopping you. I mean, hey, like there's tons of other sports, but this one's a lot of fun and you should definitely try it," said Shelton.
___
'An easier way of travel': How to get $1,000 off a new e-bike
For many, an e-bike is more than just for fun, it's transportation. Now, Colorado is making them more affordable with a $1,000 rebate. Learn about the income qualifications and the simple registration process for a chance to be one of the 2,800 recipients selected this year. Registration opens Monday.
____
Watch KOAA News5 on your time, anytime with our free streaming app available for your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV and Android TV. Just search KOAA News5, download and start watching.