How far will you go to make someone smile? 聽
One Yorkton couple travels around the world with suitcases full of wigs, jerseys and hair dye to do just that.
Hans Madsen and his wife, Judy, have been photographed pretty much everywhere for their outstanding spirit when it comes to sports 鈥� more specifically, women鈥檚 curling.
But the couple shows their spirit in a way that most of us can鈥檛 鈥� by dyeing Hans鈥� long, white beard to match whatever team they鈥檙e supporting. 聽
鈥淲e鈥檙e just there to make people smile,鈥� Hans told Yorkton This Week.
鈥淚t鈥檚 kind of fun. Not many people have that kind of beard,鈥� Judy added.
Hans and Judy aren鈥檛 strangers to cameras or the media. Just Google them and you鈥檒l see pages聽 of pictures of them sporting various colours and outfits. 聽
Most recently, the couple ventured all the way to Beijing, China for the CPT World Women鈥檚 Curling Championship 2017.
There, they received a special plaque from the Chinese sports officials in appreciation of their spirit and enthusiasm.
鈥淎t the end of the round robin they had us out at center ice,鈥� explained Hans. 鈥淭hat was quite an honour.鈥�
Though the Canadian team is their number one, Hans and Judy don鈥檛 fail to show support for other teams, too.
While in China, they were able to snag a hotel roughly five minutes away from the arena. The tournament schedule allowed them time to go back to the hotel to change their outfits and beard d茅cor to match each team as they took to the ice when their respective countries were honoured.
Hans said this way, everyone gets support.
鈥淪ometimes [teams] go and it鈥檚 just them 鈥� the team. No family members. It makes them feel more welcome,鈥� he said.
But changing the beard is no quick job. Some of Hans鈥� designs take them up to six hours to complete. And getting the dye out sometimes takes up to six shampoos.
鈥淚t鈥檚 course, it鈥檚 like trying to paint steel wool. It鈥檚 taken years of practice. All of this has a base coat and primer, and we work backwards and bring it out,鈥� Hans said with a laugh as he reflects on his well-publicized Toronto Blue Jays beard.
Where it all started
Anyone who has been to a Saskatchewan Roughriders game knows that fans aren鈥檛 shy when it comes to dressing up. So, that鈥檚 where Hans and Judy dyed his beard for the very first time.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been season ticket holders with the Riders for ever,鈥� said Hans, later adding that it鈥檚 been approximately 35 years. 鈥淓veryone dresses up for the Roughriders, but no one else has the beard. I鈥檓 a little bit different that way. But you don鈥檛 stand out as much.鈥�
He also added that it鈥檚 never the same outfit at any event 鈥� each and every one is unique.
Hans and Judy aren鈥檛 alone in their enthusiasm. Their daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren are into it, too.
While women鈥檚 curling is their favourite, and a Roughriders game was聽 the starting point, Hans and Judy also frequent local events like Yorkton Terriers and Cardinals games, Blue Jays games and more.
And yes, they have wigs, outfits and dye for each one.
In fact, an entire room in their home is dedicated to their collection.
鈥淚鈥檇 say it鈥檚 close to 700 wigs,鈥� said Hans. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all sitting there, sorted by colour.鈥�
The couple brings extra suitcases with them when they travel, to make sure they don鈥檛 leave anything behind.
Hans said the standard when they travel is about 60 wigs.
鈥淎nd then lots of paint,鈥� added Judy. 鈥淐hina was two suitcases. Sometimes the airport looks at you kind of funny.鈥�
Next up for Hans and Judy is Toronto, where they鈥檒l be heading next week for the Grand Slam of Curling, and maybe some Blue Jays games.
While Hans admits their fun hobby does get expensive, he and Judy both say it鈥檚 worth it.
鈥淚f I can make people smile and the girls out on the ice smile, then it鈥檚 good,鈥� he said.
