Pingtan, an island off the coast of southeastern China's Fujian province, hosted the 2025 Fujian Land Curling Open on March 15-16, drawing 75 teams and over 300 participants from across the province. Competitors included students, curling club members, corporate employees, and enthusiasts, all coming together to celebrate the growing popularity of curling through a fusion of sports and education.

For Chen Boxi, a first-time participant from Pingtan Chengguan Middle School's junior team, the game's unpredictability made it so compelling. "The final stone can overturn the outcome. It keeps the excitement alive until the very last moment," he said. "We've trained hard and we're hoping for the best."

Despite the region's warm climate, Pingtan has hosted multiple curling events using advanced "eco-ice" technology, eliminating the need for traditional ice rinks. This innovation has allowed the sport to thrive in southern China, opening up new possibilities for winter sports development.

According to Lin Yongqing from Pingtan's Bureau of Tourism and Culture, the event has further boosted land curling's visibility in the area. "Hosting this competition enhances Pingtan's reputation as a dynamic sports destination while encouraging more people to engage in winter sports," he noted.