Varpa Explained

Varpa is an outdoor game of physical skill that allegedly dates back to the Viking Age and survived in Gotland. It is similar to boules and horseshoes but is played with a flat and heavy object called a "varpa" instead of balls. Varpas used to be well-shaped stones, but nowadays, aluminium is more popular. A varpa can weigh between NaNand. The object of the game is to throw the varpa as close to a stick as possible. The stick is 15spell=onNaNspell=on away for women and 20spell=onNaNspell=on away for men. The game can be played individually or in teams.

No official nationally sponsored varpa teams exist; however, unofficial leagues are growing in popularity among youth in suburban areas of Sweden and Norway.[1]

"Varpa" is an old word which simply means "to throw".

Varpa is one of the disciplines at the annual Stånga Games (Stångaspelen).

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Molin. Maria. Stångaspelen för den oinvigde. Stånga Games for the uninitiated. 12 June 2015. www.gotland.net. Gotlands Media AB. 24 June 2016.