Logger Sports
Insider Info
Logger sports, also known as timber sports, were invented in the loggingcamps of British Columbia and the northern forests of the U.S. But today,they're just as likely to be found on ESPN or at a major regional fair,where hundreds of spectators gather to watch skilled athletes compete withrazor-sharp axes and saws.
A hundred years ago or more, when things got slow in the remote loggingcamps of North America, the loggers engaged in a little friendly competitionto pass the time.
They'd see who could throw a double-bit axe with the most accuracy.Or who could chop through a piece of wood fastest. Or who could climb to thetop of a pole the quickest.
Bev Wilson is the secretary manager for Orofino Celebrations Inc. That'sa logger sports show sanctioned by the American Lumberjack Association. "We'retrying to keep alive what they did in the old days," she says.
The roster of events reflects both the old and the new. There are two-personevents such as crosscut sawing and log rolling. And modern events like super-modifiedchainsaws. Then there are traditional events such as axe throwing, tree climbingand chair carving.
Some events are complex. During the springboard chop, contestants essentiallyhave to chop their way to the top of a piece of wood.
Forming notches as they go, they insert wooden planks into the wood. Theystand on the planks in order to cut a higher notch and insert a higher plank.Plank by plank, they eventually reach the top!
Those same events make up some of the logger sports contests held duringthe summer months. While logger sports are most common in areas where timberis an important part of the economy, some of the athletes who take home theprizes have never even seen a logging camp.
Top prizes at some fairs are $1,000. The Stihl Timbersports Series is atraveling series of contests. It divides $100,000 in cash and prizes amongthe best lumberjacks and lumberjills. Top competitors may also get endorsem*nts.
In fact, the Stihl events and even some regional contests can draw competitorsfrom around the world. Australia and New Zealand have produced lots of younglogger sports talent.
However, most enthusiasts will tell you it's not about the money.In fact, after traveling to and from shows, most of the money made is spentbefore the lumberjacks even get home!
"For our world championship Jack and Jill sawing, first prize is $220 andthen it goes to $170 and [then] $120," says Wilson.
"It's not a money-making thing. People do it because they like todo it. Some make a little bit of money, but they never make that much."
While fortune is hard to come by, fame is just around the corner for toplumberjacks. "If you can get good enough, where you can do the really bigshows and get top honours, then you get on TV," says Wilson.
Professional lumberjacks travel from show to show. Professional loggersportsman Karl Bischoff says he's often away from home.
"This summer we fly to New York, Tennessee and Maine. That's for theStihl series. Throughout the month of July, we just travel ... every weekend,going to our shows."
Traveling can be time-consuming, but it doesn't have to cost much.Lumberjacks are generally happy to squeeze another logger into the pickuptruck. "They throw in 10 bucks for gas and down the road we go," says Bischoff.
You can also save money by pitching a tent during the shows.
Most logger sports competitors and fans simply enjoy the thrill of competitionand the camaraderie among people who like the sport. Competitions are usuallyheld in areas where logging is an important industry or at major events, suchas fairs.
"I think the one big thing is the atmosphere of the whole thing," saysWilson. "I mean, everybody just gets so excited....I think that's evenmore important than the sport itself."
The pros usually come from a long line of lumberjacks. Local events oftenfeature teams made up of siblings, fathers, sons and daughters.
The original logging camps may have been made up of all men. But today'slogger sports include entire families. Everyone gets involved, from littlegirls ("lumberjills") to weathered old men ("lumberjacks").
"We have two Jack sawyers and they started out when they were five andseven. Their dad's done the circuit for quite a while and their mom doesaxe throwing and sawing," says Wilson.
In addition to the serious professionals and easygoing amateurs, thereare many college teams for both men and women. Some teams travel across NorthAmerica to compete in logger sports events.
Most logger sports contests now require competitors to wear protectivegear such as special chaps that will stop a chainsaw chain. But the sportis still considered very dangerous. The most common injuries are cuts to thefeet and legs from axes.
Getting Started
Be patient. Give yourself a chance to be a beginner before you'reswinging blades with the brawniest of loggers. Rushing your way into a sportthat involves heavy axes and the most powerful chainsaws in the world is notwise. According to Bischoff, injuries are rare but severe.
Getting started in logger sports requires lots of practice. One of thebest events to start with is the axe-throwing contest. That requires a double-bitaxe -- they cost about $80 -- and a four-foot-wide target at which to aimfrom 20 feet away.
But be warned: it can take thousands of throws before you become an expertat this one event.
And if you get serious about the sport, you can expect to invest even more.A good two-man crosscut saw, which is usually hand-sharpened by one of a handfulof North American experts, can cost around $1,000.
And a so-called "hot saw" -- chainsaws with motorcycle engines or enginesthat run on jet fuel or alcohol -- can cost twice that amount.
Get to know someone involved in the sport. Most professional contacts andshow organizers are listed through the American Lumberjack Association. Lumberjacksand lumberjills are renowned for their jovial personalities. They'regenerally happy to lend a hand to newcomers.
Contact your local forestry division or the American Lumberjack Associationfor upcoming workshops and local contacts.
Education
Here is just a sample of schools that offer related training:
Texas Forestry Association
Pro Logger Accreditation Program
P.O. Box 1488
Lufkin , TX 75902-1488
USA
Internet : http://www.texasforestry.org/2006%20Cont%20Ed%20op
portunities%20for%20Texas%20Pro%20Loggers.htm
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Virginia SHARP Logger Program
Cheatham Hall
Blacksburg , VA 24061
USA
Internet : http://www.sharplogger.vt.edu/
Associations
American Lumberjack Association
Internet : http://www.americanlumberjacks.com/
Publications
North American Axeman's News
911 Somerset Dr.
Charleston , WV 25302
USA
Internet : http://www.starinfo.com/ljguide/ljguide2.html#axem
ens
Links
North American Lumberjack Guide
Links to specific contests and world-record results
Indian River Olde Time Lumberjack Show
An exhibition of talented lumberjacks and jills
Stihl Timbersports Series
A big-money series of contests
Chainsaw Safety
Develop chainsaw smarts
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