A great Canadian Tradition. Photo: Dagan Beach
Limbo. A Winter Olympic Sport?
By Ace MacKay-Smith
Anyone who’s ever attempted to shimmy under a horizontal pole will probably agree that limbo very well could be an Olympic-worthy sport. Limbo is kind of like a reverse high jump without the cushy mat and it requires agility, balance, flexibility, strength, deep concentration and years of practice – all qualities necessary for Olympic gold.
Limbo originated on the Caribbean island of Trinidad but has become a popular pastime and party icebreaker at festivities all over the world. One such ‘remix’ of the classic limbo was born right here in British Columbia – the great Canadian tradition of limboing under … wait for it … the hockey stick!
Hockey stick limbo received worldwide attention at the infamous Whistler parties held at Canada House during the Torino, Italy, Olympics in February 2006. Germans, Swedes, Italians, Russians, Americans, and guests from all over the world came together on the dance floor to patiently wait their turn to lay back and shuffle under the wooden wand of Canada’s beloved sport. Men and women competed side by side and with equal success – limbo does not discriminate – and with not much arm-twisting, even the Premier of BC became an exuberant convert to the stick.
It may not be an Olympic sport yet, but hockey stick limbo was definitely an international hit. Locals, don’t be surprised if a foreigner requests the experience. Have your hockey sticks handy and let us all go for gold.
