After an 18-year absence, Chris Daw, the skip of Canada's gold medal-winning team at the 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, has announced his return to high-performance wheelchair curling. He will represent British Columbia at the 2026 Canadian Wheelchair Curling Championships in Boucherville, Quebec, at the end of April. Daw aims to foster grassroots growth in the sport while adapting to its evolved landscape.
Paralympic Curling Champion Back On the Ice
Chris Daw, the first Paralympic wheelchair curling gold medallist skip, is making a comeback after 18 years away from high-performance competition. His return coincides with the approaching 20th anniversary of his historic victory at the Torino 2006 Paralympic Winter Games, the first to feature the sport.
In 2006, Daw and his Canadian teammates—Gerry Austgarden, Gary Cormack, Sonja Gaudet, and Karen Blachford—secured gold by defeating Great Britain 6-4 in the final. Team Canada had topped the round robin with a 5-2 record and advanced by stealing the last end to beat Norway 5-4 in the semifinal.
Daw's past successes include three consecutive national wheelchair curling titles from 2004 to 2006, as well as world silver in 2002 and gold in 2003. A multi-sport Paralympian, he has also competed in summer Games events in athletics, adaptive athletics, and wheelchair rugby.
From Victoria, B.C., Daw explained his decision: “I’ve resisted past thoughts about getting back on the ice, and there’s been a lot of recruitment efforts over the years. I’ve always said no. But now, I’ve decided I’d like to help foster some grassroots growth while competing again.”
What started as casual practice sessions has grown into a full team commitment. Daw's lineup features five-time national champion Frank La Bounty from Prince George, who is also returning after an eight-year hiatus; newcomers Tom Henderson and Matthew Ford; and Daw's wife, Elizabeth Daw.
“I’ve got a veteran and a couple of rookies on my new team, so it should be a fun experience,” Daw said.
He noted significant changes in wheelchair curling over the past 18 years, describing it as faster, more strategic, and with deeper talent. Returning demands renewed training and modernized approaches. “This isn’t about reliving 2006,” Daw emphasized. “That moment is part of history. This is about writing a new chapter, helping the sport, and earning the right to compete again and represent B.C. with pride.”
Daw has secured initial sponsorship from SP Pumps & Tanks Ltd.
