What do Waupaca’s snowbirds do in the winter besides enjoy balmy weather?
A growing number of them play shuffleboard.
Bill Storck, who winters in Mesa, Ariz., where he is a District 1 vice president of the Arizona Shuffleboard Association, hopes to launch a shuffleboard league here in Waupaca.
Storck will lead a class on how to play shuffleboard at 9 a.m. Monday, June 11, in the new gym at the Waupaca Recreation Center, 407 School St. The class is free and will be followed by an open play session.
Storck is also organizing a shuffleboard league. The cost to join the league is $5 annually for members of the Waupaca Senior Center. Residents of the city of Waupaca and the town of Farmington can join the senior center for $10 annually, while residents of other townships pay $15. The total cost for those who are not already senior center members will be $15 to $20.
The local shuffleboard league will meet at 9 a.m. Mondays, beginning June 18.
“Shuffleboard is a lot like curling without the sweepers,” Storck said. “The game is a combination of technique, strategy, memory and luck.”
Storck said the game requires skill and strategy rather than physical strength to play.
“Shuffleboard can be as easy or as hard as you want to make it,” Storck said. “You can plan an easy sociable game, or you can play a little more competitive game in league play, or you can get really competitive and play in tournaments.”
Storck, who came in third in a regional tournament in Mesa, said playing tournaments requires a lot of practice and training.
“If this program becomes successful, I will be giving classes in technique and strategy,” Storck said.
For more information about the Waupaca Shuffleboard League, contact Teri Moe at the Waupaca Senior Center at 715-258-4437.