With a rich history in the forestry industry that spans more than 60 years, leading forestry equipment manufacturer John Deere will be a featured sponsor of this year's competition.
John Deere is proud to be a Title Sponsor of the Lumberjack World Championships," said Nate Clark, Forestry Marketing Manager for John Deere Construction and Forestry. "The Lumberjack World Championships provides all of us at John Deere with a rewarding opportunity to feature and celebrate the hard work and dedication found in the logging community and epitomized by the competition's athletes."
In the 52 years since the inaugural event, tens of thousands of spectators have come to the small town of Hayward, Wisconsin from all over the globe to watch the world's finest compete in the "Granddaddy" of all timber sports competitions: Lumberjack World Championships®. It is three days of challenge, determination and pure strength for both men and women competing in events that began in the forests of America.
The thunder of chainsaws, the quick feet of log rollers, the brute strength of the sawyers and choppers, plus the amazing agility and speed of the pole climbers, will not allow your heart to stop pounding throughout this amazing world championship event.
The Lumberjack World Championships® is recognized as the premier timber sporting event in the nation where lumberjacks and lumberjills from around the world including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the Czech Republic come to compete for the gold.
Fifty-two years ago, Hayward businessman Tony Wise picked up the phone late one evening and began assembling competitors like Dave Geer for an event called the Lumberjack World Championships®.
Early in its history, the Lumberjack World Championships® were featured in LIFE Magazine, leading to coverage by ABC's Wide World of Sports in 1965. Since that time, numerous national publications and television coverage by ESPN and OLN have covered the event.
Lumberjack World Championships® was first held at Historyland, a historical theme park in Hayward commemorating the heritage of the region's fur trade, Indian culture and logging industry. Historyland no longer stands, but Lumberjack Bowl, were all the events are held, still does. Lumberjack Bowl was once a giant holding pond for the North Wisconsin Lumber Company, and today it still showcases over 100 competitors each July in events ranging from sawing and chopping to speed climbing, log rolling and boom running.
The Lumberjack World Championships® began in 1960 as a way to acknowledge the rich history of the logging industry across the United States. Work day skills that were perfected in the forests of the nation became a past-time and soon grew into an exciting and growing sporting event. From the Lumberjack World Championships®, now trademarked in Hayward, Wisconsin, to the ESPN's Great Outdoor Games, lumberjack sports has increased in popularity with loyal fans and competitors from across the globe.
Hayward, Wisconsin, rich in both history and natural beauty, holds its lumberjack championships in what was once a giant holding pond for logs of Weyerhaeuser's North Wisconsin Lumber Company. The people of Hayward embrace this rich history each summer with hundreds of volunteers and community support making this a world class event for thousands of visitors.
The Lumberjack World Championships® showcases over 21 unique competitions and world records in events ranging from men's and women's logrolling, to chopping and the exciting pole climb. Over 100 plus competitors vie for more than $50,000 in prize money, making this one of the largest purses for lumberjack competition in the world.
The Lumberjack World Championships® is a leader in the recognition and support of the women's events in the timber sports arena. The women's competitions have proven to be one of the most popular crowd-pleasers with some of the most incredible female athletes competing in a variety of events.
The pure strength and skill of the various chopping and sawing events, the agility and grace as well as the endurance, of logrolling and the exhilaration of 90-foot tree climbing makes this an exciting family events each summer for over 12,000 spectators.
Competitions
Women's Single Buck
Sixteen-inch white pine logs are used, and all cross-cut sawing events are against time. A starting cut arc is allowed in the competition. Timing begins when the signal "Go" is called, and ends when the log is completely severed. The world record is currently held by Nancy Zalewski since 2006 with a time of 11.61 seconds.Women's Underhand Chop
The contest is against time. Using a single bit pinned axe, competitors chop through a horizontal aspen log, 11 inches in diameter and 15-28 inches long. Nancy Zalewski set a new world record in 2009 with a time of 29.24 seconds
Underhand Block Chop
Using a five-pound single-bit axe, competitors chop through a horizontal aspen log 12 inches in diameter and 28 inches long. Timing begins on the signal "Go" and ends when the log is severed. A new world record was set in 2006 by Jason Wynyard with a time of 15.94. New in 2007, competitors moved from the Underhand Chop to the Standing Block Chop for one continuous timed event known as the Endurance Event.Standing Block Chop
Using a five-pound single-bit axe, competitors chop through a vertical standing aspen log 12 inches in diameter and 28 inches long. Timing begins on the "GO" signal and ends when the log is severed. This event was combined with the Men"s Underhand Chop as the Endurance or Combination event in 2007. Competitors moved from the Underhand Chop to the Standing Block Chop for one continuous timed event. The World Record for the Standing Block Chop is held by Jason Wynyard set in 1998 with a time of: 18.33.Springboard Chop
This event combines the skills of the chopper and the high climber. Out in the forest this technique enables a working lumberjack to reach softer wood above the tough and knotty base of a tree marked for cutting. Contestants climb a height of nine feet using two springboard placements and chop through a 12-inch diameter aspen log mounted on the top of the spar pole. Dave Bolstad set a new world record of: 41.15 in 2003 besting his previous world record time of: 41.63 in 2001.
Men's Logrolling
In competition opponents step onto a floating log, cuff it to start the roll, spin it rapidly in the water with their feet, stop or snub it suddenly by digging into the log with special caulked birling shoes and a reverse motion to maneuver their adversaries off balance and into the water, a feat called 'wetting'. Dislodging an opponent constitutes a fall. The cardinal rule of logrolling is 'never take your eyes off your opponent's feet'. The referee starts each match. Competing birlers step off a dock onto a floating log, grasping pike poles held by attendants for balance. As they push off from the dock, the referee instructs the birlers to steady the log. When he is certain both birlers have equal control, he says, 'Throw your poles'. The match is on and continues to a fall or to expiration of the time limit set for each log. When the time limit is reached, the same match continues onto the next smaller log. In the semi-finals and the finals, the contest is decided by the best three out of five falls. Men start on 15-inch logs.Women's Logrolling
In competition opponents step onto a floating log, cuff it to start the roll, spin it rapidly in the water with their feet, stop or snub it suddenly by digging into the log with special caulked birling shoes and a reverse motion to maneuver their adversaries off balance and into the water, a feat called 'wetting'. Dislodging an opponent constitutes a fall. The cardinal rule of logrolling is 'never take your eyes off your opponent's feet'. The referee starts each match. Competing birlers step off a dock onto a floating log, grasping pike poles held by attendants for balance. As they push off from the dock, the referee instructs the birlers to steady the log. When he is certain both birlers have equal control, he says, 'Throw your poles'. The match is on and continues to a fall or to expiration of the time limit set for each log. When the time limit is reached, the same match continues onto the next smaller log. In the semi-finals and the finals, the contest is decided by the best three out of five falls. Women start on 14-inch logs. In 2003 Tina Bosworth set a new world record of 10 wins.
Single Buck
A single sawyer uses a one-man bucking saw to cut through a 20-inch diameter white pine log. Dion Lane set a new world record in 2006 with a time of 10.78 seconds.Double Buck
Two sawyers working as a team use a two-man bucking saw to cut through a 20-inch diameter white pine log. Double buck team consists of two men. A starting cut arc is allowed. Timing begins for both competitions when the signal to 'GO' is called, and ends when the log is completely severed. Jason Wynyard and Dion Lane hold the world record with a time of 4.77 seconds set in 2005.Jack and Jill Sawing
Jack and Jill bucking contests consist of a man and woman and are against time. Starting cuts of no more than one-half inch deep, in order to set the teeth of the saw, are allowed. Logs must be cut completely through. Timing starts on the signal 'GO' and ends when the block is severed. The wood is 20' white pine. The world record for this event was set in 2005 by Jason and Karmyn Wynyard with a time of 6.17 seconds.
Hot Saw
A single sawyer using a single-cylinder, single-motor power saw makes three vertical cuts- down, up and down'through a 20-inch diameter white pine log. This one-man contest is strictly against time. Chainsaws may be warmed up prior to the contest, but must be turned off before the contest begins. Neither self starting nor impulse-type push button starters nor twin motors are allowed. A starter gives the countdown and on the signal 'GO', competitors start their saws and make the three cuts. The contest ends when the third slice is severed. All cuts must be complete. Dave Bolstad of New Zealand holds the world record with a time of 5s.55 seconds set in 2007.90 ft. Speed Climb
Contestant scales an 90 foot tall cedar spar pole and returns to the ground against time. Contestants compete on twin spar poles. Contestant must climb within the front 240 degrees of the sparring pole, as marked. Timing begins on the signal 'GO' and ends when the contestant touches the ground after ringing one of the two bells on top of the spar pole. At the starting signal, contestants must have one foot on the ground and the other foot below the orange line as marked on the sparring pole. On the descent climbers are required to touch inside each section. Contestants use spurred climbers and steel-core climbing ropes to scale the spar poles. In this climb Brian Bartow of Oregon holds the world record with a time of 19.87 set in 2006.60 ft. Speed Climb
Competitor scales a 60 foot tall cedar spar pole and returns to the ground. Contestants perform on twin spar poles and they must climb within 240 degrees of the sparring pole, as marked. Event is strictly against time and begins when the signal 'GO' is given and ends when the contestant touches the ground after climbing to the 60 foot mark. At the starting signal, contestants must have one foot on the ground and the other foot below the orange line as marked on the sparring pole. The contestant must touch the pole every 15 feet on the descent. The two climbers use spurred climbers and steel-core climbing ropes to scale the spar poles. Only traditional spurs are allowed. Brian Bartow of Grants Pass, Oregon holds the world record of 12.33 seconds in this event. |
| One of the awards |
Men's Boom Run
Starting on the log-rolling dock, two competitors run head to head on adjacent booms. Each competitor must step off the logrolling dock, running across a chain of logrolling logs to the chopping dock, circling a specified competition station and cross the pond on the boom logs back to the logrolling dock. The competitor must step onto the logrolling dock and touch the starting point. This is a timed event and is timed to the tenths of a second. Anyone leaving before the word 'GO' will be accessed a 10 second penalty.Women's Boom Run
Starting on the log-rolling dock, two competitors run head to head on adjacent booms. Each competitor must step off the logrolling dock, running across a chain of logrolling logs to the chopping dock, circling a specified competition station and cross the pond on the boom logs back to the logrolling dock. The competitor must step onto the logrolling dock and touch the starting point. This is a timed event and is timed to the tenths of a second. Anyone leaving before the word 'GO' will be accessed a 10 second penalty.Relay Event
In this timed event there are 2 teams competing. Each team consist of a 60 foot climber, 2 boom runners (1 male- 1 female), a hot sawyer, a women's single buck sawyer and a standing block chopper. First a climber must climb and descend the 60 foot pole, when their feet touch the pad it is the signal for the male boom runner stationed on the chopping dock to run the logs to the logrolling dock; when he touches the dock it is then the female boom runner's turn to run the logs over to the chopping dock, once touching there the hot saws then cut through a 20 inch log and when the log drops the women commence the single buck, with the standing block chop the anchor event in this relay. Whichever team finishes first with the best time is the winner of the event. This event is the combination of the best of all the lumberjack skills ' power, strength and sheer determination.
Amateur Logrolling
Once there were only a few schools teaching logrolling in the land, Hayward and La Crosse, Wisconsin being two of them. Nowadays there are more and more springing up from Hudson to the East Coast with universities and high schools even adding the sport to their water sport curriculum. Children from age 4 and up are eligible to learn the sport that combines balance, agility and mental toughness and enter into competitions. All children enrolled in amateur categories from 6 & under, up to the Semi-Pros, roll in tennis shoes. At the Semi-Pro category they must roll in spikes and those that win move up into the pro ranks the following year. The Hayward Log Rolling School is proud to be the training ground of many world champion log rollers, including such multi- year greats as Brian Duffy, Fred and Judy Scheer, Bonnie Pendleton and Tina Bosworth and JR Salzman.All-Around Lady Jill
The All-Around Lady Jill Champion is awarded each year to the Lumber Jill who scores the most points. The key to the All Around title is endurance and the ability to compete in as many events as possible. The top contestants in every event receive points each day of the competition, making it important to make it through early qualifying rounds in as many events as possible. Points are given each day for the top six places in each event, with a first place being awarded 6 points, second 5 points and so on. Logrollers will receive triple points for their final place4ment. This is because the final standings are the only opportunity for logrollers to earn points. Women's All-Around events are the Underhand Chop, Single Buck, Jack and Jill, Logrolling and the Boom Run. Last year's winner is Nancy Zalewski of Wisconsin, who has now taken home the crown 3 times.
Tony Wise All-Around
The Tony Wise All Around Champion, named after the founder of the Lumberjack World Championships', is awarded each year to the Lumberjack who scores the most points. The key to the All-Around title is endurance and the ability to compete in as many events as possible. The top contestants in every event receive points each day of competition, making it important to make it through early qualifying rounds in as many events as possible. Points are given each day for the top six places in each event, with a first place being awarded 6 points, second 5 points and so on. There are two exceptions to this. Due to the nature of the Springboard Chop and Logrolling, the all-around points for these two events will be scored differently. For the Springboard, the sixth fastest competitor's form Friday's and Saturday's heats will receive double the points. This is because Springboard competitors only get one opportunity to earn all around points. 5th and 6th placements will be awarded triple points for their final placement. This is because the final standings are the only opportunity for logrollers to earn points. The Tony Wise All-Around Events are: Underhand Chop, Standing Chop, Springboard Chop, Double Buck, Single Buck, Hot Saw, Jack & Jill, Logrolling, Boom Run, 60 foot Climb and 90 Foot Climb. Jason Wynyard, who was the 2007 winner, has taken home the crown for 9.
Master's Underhand Chop
Using a 5 single-bit axe, competitors over the age of 50 chop through a vertical standing aspen log 12 inches in diameter and 28 inches long. Timing begins on the signal “GO” and ends when the log is severed.years in a row.
Master's Double Buck
Two sawyers over the age of 50 working as a team, use a two-man bucking saw to cut through a 20-inch diameter white pine log. A starting cut is allowed. Timing begins for both competitors when the signal “GO” is called and ends when the log is completely severed.
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