Just what goes on at a lumberjack competition anyway?

Posted 10/14/21

Springboard Chop:

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Just what goes on at a lumberjack competition anyway?

RR photo by Amanda Reed

Posted Thursday, October 14, 2021 11:23 am

In my humble opinion

Forever plaid

Schedule of events:

Lumberjack Competitions: 11am-1pm and 2-4pm

Baking Contest judged at 1pm

Stephen Clair Band will play during Logging Show, breaks at 1pm and 4pm

Kids obstacle course, courtesy of Tusten Youth Commission: 11am-5pm

Vendor Market with food and handmade goods: 11am-5pm.

History Bus Tour, Sunday, October 17. Leaves from library parking lot on Bridge Street at 11am returns approx 1:30pm. Cost $10. Tour includes docent tour of Neweiden Excelsior Mill and 10-Mile River Trail.

Lumberjack competitions:

Springboard Chop:

Springboard poles are nine-feet tall. Contestants are to use two springboards to ascend to the top of the pole, and chop a firmly attached block from the top of the pole. The block is to be cut from both sides.

WOMEN’S Crosscut, MEN’S CROSSCUT, JACK & JILL CROSSCUT:

This is one of the classic lumberjack events, where speed, concentration and strength all come together. In the crosscut (or two-person) saw event, competitors must use the saw to cut two cookies from a mounted log. Good communication with your partner is crucial, though a sharp saw will also help. Competitors lose time or risk disqualification if they “cut out” (i.e. having the saw exit the log at an angle, without having cut all the way down it.)

Men’s Standing Block:

The goal of this event is to chop a log as fast as possible as if you were felling a tree. Blocks will be held vertically in a stanchion simulating felling a tree. The person with the fastest time wins.

Axe Throw:

The objective is to hit the bull’s eye on a target about 15 feet away with a double-headed axe. In competition, the thrower is typically given one practice throw and then three more that count. The closer your axe is to the bull’s eye, the higher your score on each throw.

Women’s Bow Saw, Men’s Bow Saw:

A Bow Saw is to be run by one competitor. An equal number of cuts will be made on the end of a log. In case of a partial cut a second cut is allowable; however, the time will not stop until the log is completely cut. The person with the fastest time wins.

Open Hot Saw:

Competitors will make three cuts in the following order: one down cut, one up cut, one down cut. The person with the fastest time wins.

Women’s Underhand Chop, Men’s Underhand Chop:

The goal of this event is to chop a log in half. This is done by placing the log horizontally in a station and chopping in between the feet. The person with the fastest time wins.