Your Guide to Powell River Logger Sports 2024 by Sean Percy

July 13 & 14, 2024

Thanks to these Platinum-level sponsors who have made Powell River Logger Sports possible:

Thanks also to these Gold-level sponsors:

Thanks also to these other Gold-level sponsors:

Thanks to these Silver-level sponsors:

BC Ministry of Forests

Blue Agave Tequila Grill

Canadian Overseas

Log & Lumber Ltd.

Canwest Well Drilling Ltd.

Capilano Highway Services

Carlson Club

Columbia Fuels

Couverdon

Crownline Renovations

Deighton Creek Contracting

Dominos Pizza

Iguanas Mexican Grill

Jepson Mobile Booming & Bundling Ltd.

Jimmy Jack Charters

Matt Boese Enterprises

Mike Hamilton Logging Ltd.

Pacific Coastal

Peak

Powell River Town Centre

Road Warrior Holdings Inc.

Save On Select Safety Services

Subway Tempco Heating & Cooling Specialists

Texada Transfer

Tin Hat Mountain

Contracting

Tla’amin Lake Contracting

We also appreciate greatly these Bronze-level sponsors:

Aaron Service & Supply

Ace Traffic

Augusta Recycling

Bayline Enterprises Inc.

Bottom Up Tree Service

Crystal Clear Engraving

DMD Accountants

First Credit Union

Forest Bistro and Lounge

Inland Truck & Equipment Ltd.

J & D Signs

J M G Logging Ltd.

Kiwanis Club of Powell River

Massullo Motors

Miklat Recovery Society

Modern Aluminum & Vinyl Products Ltd.

Royal Zayka

Tideline Services Ltd.

Twisted Twig Tree Service

Villani and Company

Welpers Tree Service

Westcoast Endeavours Ltd.

Every bit helps. Our thanks go to these Patron sponsors:

Powell River Vintage Car Club RONA - Powell River Building Supply Hair ‘n’ Dipity

Sponsors at press time. It’s not too late! Send a message to Powell River Logger Sports on Facebook or prloggersports@gmail.com to find out how you can donate.

Powell River Logger Sports

July 13 & 14, 2024

Sched

Gate Admission

Free for Everyone! Please bring nonperishable food or cash as a donation to the Powell River Action Society Food Bank. We are hoping to fill a gravel truck each day!

Get in on the action

• Just $3 buys you a Lucky Program at the event. Draws for great prizes happen all day, Saturday and Sunday.

• Firewood & Boat Charter silent auction. Go to the merchandise booth to bid.

• A small quantity of tickets for Saturday’s dinner and dance to be held at the Carlson Club may still be available at the merchandise booth

Beer Gardens

The Beer Gardens are back this year, run by the Carlson club. Enjoy a pint while you watch the action July 13 & 14.

Carving Competition

July 10 to 14

Saturday, July 13

Gates open at 9:30 am: Trade show, food booths, exhibitors, merchandise and Lucky Program sales.

Preliminaries start at 9:30: Competitors competing in preliminary events to make it into the show for a certain event.

11am Opening Ceremonies: Hegus John Hacket and Mayor Ron Woznow with President of PR Logger Sports Tyler Brady.

The following events will not necessarily be in this order. See event schedule posted to Powell River Logger Sports Facebook page closer to the event.

Novice

Tree Climb

Sponsored by Julie’s Airport Café Ltd

Underhand Chop

Sponsored by Canadian Overseas Log & Lumber Ltd, Jepson Mobile Booming & Bundling Ltd

Canadian Championship Axe Throw

Sponsored by Adams Concrete Ltd, Aero Services

Intermediate

Obstacle Pole

Sponsored by Just Frys! And Dogs, Relay Rentals

Stock Saw - Husky Challenge

ule

Saturday, July 13 (cont.)

Masters

Peter Colliver Memorial Underhand Chop

Sponsored by Ace Traffic, Bayline Enterprises Inc, DMD Chartered Professional Accountants, Inland Truck & Equipment Ltd

Ladies Open Single Buck

Sponsored by J M G Logging Ltd, Massullo Motors, Modern Aluminum & Vinyl Products Ltd, Tideline Services Ltd

Novice Underhand (Canadian Championship)

Sponsored by Villani and Company, First Credit Union, Miklat, Kiwanis Club of Powell River

Open Underhand

Sponsored by Westcoast Endeavours Ltd., Powell River Vintage Car Club, RONA Powell River Building Supply, Hair ‘N’ Dipity

Jill & Jill Double Buck

Sponsored by Carlson Club, Domino’s Pizza, Save On Foods

Open

Tree Climb (Canadian Championship)

Sponsored by Crownline Renovations, Iguanas Mexican Grill

Relay

CAN/AM Relay

Sponsored by Bob Marquis Contracting Ltd, Truck Loggers Association

Sunday, July 14

Gates open at 9:30 am: Trade show, food booths, exhibitors, merchandise and Lucky pProgram sales.

11 am: Show begins

The following events will not necessarily be in this order. See event schedule posted to Powell River Logger Sports Facebook page closer to the event.

Ladies

Axe Throw

Sponsored by Matt Boese Contracting, Select Safety Services Open

Obstacle Pole

Sponsored by Subway, Deighton Creek Contracting, Peak, Capilano Services

Axe Throw

Sponsored by Mike Hamilton Logging Ltd, Persephone Brewing Co. at Strikers Bar & Grill

Tree Climb (Canadian Championship)

Welcome to Logger Sports

Ladies and gentlemen, competitors, and visitors, welcome to Powell River Logger Sports!

We celebrate the raw strength and skills that define this venerable tradition, rooted deeply in our forest industry’s rich history. From axe throwing to pole climbing, every event pays homage to the resilience and determination of our forestry heritage.

Our carving competition stands as a testament to the intricate artistry that breathes life into wood, transforming it into masterpieces.

We would like to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our volunteers, whose unwavering support fuels the spirit of camaraderie and sportsmanship.

We extend our gratitude to the Tla’amin Nation, whose land we gather upon, honoring their enduring connection to the forests that unite us.

So, let the games begin, fueled by passion, respect, and the thrill of competition. Here’s to the upcoming days filled with unforgettable moments and the enduring spirit of logger sports!

Please enjoy the games!

Powell River Logger Sports Association

President Tyler Brady, and Board of Directors

Your 2024 Powell River Logger Sports

Board of Directors:

President • Tyler Brady

Vice President • Kevin Cote

Past President • Bob Marquis

Treasurer • Michelle Silvester

Secretary • Brenda Mowat

Directors • William Mowat, Laura Passek, Gary Amundsen, Bary Rice, Murray Mitchell

7053E Glacier St, Powell River BC V8A 5J7 isabelle@prliving.ca • tel 604-485-0003

PHOTO BY MICHELLE PENNELL

Thanks to photographer Michelle Pennell, who provided most of the photographs for this publication.

Rachel Blaney, MP North Island - Powell River 604-489-2286

Rachel.Blaney@parl.gc.ca

Nicholas.Simons.MLA@leg.bc.ca

Obstacle Pole Bucking

Equipment

Chainsaw, eight-inch diameter log. Skills

Strength, speed, balance.

This is how you do it

Start by standing next to the top end of the cedar. Pick up your chainsaw, run to the bottom end, walk up the log and balance near

Events

Intermediate | Open

the top. Make a cut one-inch deep near the end of the log, then finish the cut from the other side. The cuts must match up. After the piece falls off, shut off your saw, run down the log and around to the front of the log.

Items of interest

This event originated in Squamish. It usually lasts 12 to 14 seconds.

Get to know Logger Sports

Events

This year, Powell River is hosting three North American titles and six Canadian championships.

Springboard: Two-board & Four-board

Intermediate two-board Canadian Championship | Open four-board Equipment

Metal-tipped wooden boards, axe.

Skills

Strength, balance, accuracy, fearlessness.

This is how you do it

Intermediate class - cut two springboard holes one on top of the other. Put the boards in, and climb on the top one. Chop halfway through the tree, turn 180 degrees, and chop through the remainder. The clock stops when the chopped block hits the ground.

Open class - cut two holes as in Intermediate class. Insert boards, chop halfway through the tree. Climb down, repeat on the other side of the tree, and chop through until the block hits the ground.

Items of interest

In the early days of logging, fallers worked in teams of two and used axes and crosscut saws. To cut down on the time it took to fall a large tree, they started their cuts in the straight part of the tree, above the swell of the butt. To reach that height, they chopped notches in the tree and inserted springboards. The name ‘springboard’ came about because the boards act like springs and can help a faller drive his axe harder into a cut.

In this event, it’s vital to cut perfect springboard holes. A pro can cut his hole with four swings of his axe.

Hot Saw

Intermediate 100cc power saw with pipe North American Championship | Open 140cc hot saw Canadian Championship | Open Unlimited hot saw North American Championship Equipment

140cc or less (hot saw). 18”diameter log. Saws must be single-cylinder engines using mixed gas and must be hand-started. Legal modifications include installing a larger-volume carburetor, boring out the cylinder, installing a full-circle balanced crankshaft, polishing the intake exhaust ports, installing a larger chain sprocket, and adding an expansion chamber.

Skills

Control, strength, mechanics, knowing your saw.

This is how you do it

Make three cuts: one down, one up, and one down, creating three “cookies.”

Item of interest

The loudest of all events.

Relay

Open Can/Am Championship Events

Stock Saw, Underhand, SingleBuck, Standing Block, Two-board Springboard

Skills

Strength, speed, and teamwork.

This is how you do it

The Canadian team faces off against the American team. Five Open competitors on each. Placement based on combined times.

Husky Stock

Saw Challenge

Intermediate Equipment

18”-diameter log, chainsaw of 100cc or less – may be modified. Skills

Control, strength, knowing your saw.

This is how you do it Make three cuts: one down, one up, and one down, trimming three disks off the log.

Items of interest

In all chainsaw events, competitors wear pants made of Kevlar or other material to protect their legs from errant cuts.

Axe Throw

Novice Canadian Championship | Ladies | Open

Equipment

Double-bitted axe with a 24”+ handle, 36” target.

Hand-bucking

Single-Buck

Ladies Open | Open

Double-Buck

Intermediate | Open

Skills

Precision, fearlessness.

This is how you do it

Stand 20’ from the target. Throw the axe at it, aiming for the bullseye (worth five points – the other circles are worth 4, 3, 2, 1). If the blade lands across two circles,

Jack & Jill Open

Jill & Jill Ladies

Equipment

Crosscut saw, log, wedges, lube.

the higher number is counted. Throw four axes; first is a practice. Next three count.

Items of interest

Started as a lunchtime activity on the work site, where fallers would compete for goodies.

Skills

Teamwork, knowledge, strength. This is how you do it

Saw through the log. Lubricants and wedges may be used to aid sawing.

Tree Climb

Novice | Intermediate Canadian Championship | Open Canadian Championship Equipment

Spurs, rope, belt, plus an 80’ climbing pole.

Skills

Strength, balance, courage.

This is how you do it Climb the pole! Use the spurs to gain purchase on the pole and the flipline to keep from falling backwards.

Items of interest

Historically, high-riggers had the most dangerous – and highly-paid – jobs in camp. They were responsible for setting cables on spar trees.

Underhand Chop

Ladies Open | Intermediate | Ladies Novice Canadian Championships Equipment Racing axe, log. Skills

Strength, precision, courage. This is how you do it Stand on the log and chop halfway through. Turn around. Chop the rest of the way through.

Items of interest

Speed chopping has been a competitive sport for over 100 years. Racing axes are usually made in New Zealand or Australia. They can cost $500+.

Peter Colliver Memorial Chop

Masters

An Underhand Chop. Peter Colliver and Bob Marquis represented Canada at the Guinness World Records logger contest in Germany in 2000. Peter has since died of a sudden heart attack. Only competitors who have chopped against Peter in the past are invited to participate in this event.

5 competitors to watch:

Rosalea Pagani • Powell River

Who Rosalea is • “When I’m not competing I enjoy being a mom, riding my horses, and gardening.” She has been on maternity leave, and heads back to work in September as the Practices Forester for BC Timber Sales.

Biggest wins • Rosalea started competing in Logger Sports when it returned to Powell River in 2016, and has been hooked since! Her most recent win was the stock saw in Campbell River last year, and a win in the axe throw there a few years prior.

Events she’s competing in • Axe Throw • Stock Saw • Underhand Chop • Sawing

Keenan Young • Powell River

Who Keenan is • Adams Concrete pump operator/ mechanic, and firefighter for PR Fire Rescue. Away from Logger Sports, find Keenan in the gym, or out twisting wrenches on some kind of car or heavy equipment. But during the winter months, he’d much rather be out in the mountains riding snowmobiles.

Biggest wins • Last year was Keenan’s first Logger Sports Competition. He walked away with the Canadian Double Buck Intermediate Championship with Verjall Ham. He competed in Campbell River last year, taking third on the Novice Tree climb, fifth in the choker race and eighth in the underhand chop.

Events he’s competing in • Novice Tree Climb • Novice Underhand Chop • Intermediate Obstacle Pole • Intermediate Stock Saw • Intermediate Double Buck

Andrea Hand • Kaslo BC

Who Andrea is • A proud mother to two wonderful children, Andrea runs a co-op gym and is a paramedic for BC Ambulance

Biggest wins • Placing second in the 2023 Stihl Timbersports Women’s Canadian Championships; Winning the Canadian Underhand Championship four times • Ranked 6th in the world International Stihl Timbersports.

Events she’s competing in • Ladies Underhand • Ladies Single Buck • Jack and Jill sawing • Jill and Jill sawing • Axe throw • Stock saw • Obstacle Pole

Verjall Ham • Powell River

Who Verjall is • Owns and operates Malaspina Tree Service, EO at Tla’amin Nation, and a firefighter at PR Fire Rescue.

Biggest wins • He entered his first competition at Powell River Logger Sports in 2017 and has since won first place Canadian championships in pole climb and double buck, second place for the Canadian championship springboard chop, and a first place in the choker race.

Events he’s competing in • Pole Climb • Hot Saw • Obstacle Pole, and more.

Alicia Walsh • Powell River

Who Alicia is • Red Seal Automotive Technician at Pinetree Auto Body, rides dirtbikes and sport bikes with friends in PR’s amazing back country, works out at Anytime Fitness and plays beach volleyball and slo pitch.

Biggest wins • In 2018 Alicia entered her first Logger Sports competition where she competed in the Axe Throw and Husky Stock Saw.

Events she’s competing in • Ladies Axe Throw • Stock Saw • Jack & Jill • Jill & Jill

Rosalea Pagani

Keenan Young

Chain Gang

Starting Wednesday, July 10, you can see trees transformed into chainsaw art in real time at the Willingdon gravel lot. Judging is 3pm Sunday, July 14.

This year’s artists are:

Mandy Chalmers • Seymour Arm

Shea Larking • Seymour Arm

Kamron Garbe • Regina, SK

Clint Bleaney • Powell River

Jay Perrin • Powell River

Tyler Welfing • Vernon

Benji Waretini-Hemara • New Zealand

Brigitte Lochhead • Vancouver

Marina Cole • Medicine Hat, AB

Jesse Toso • Vancouver

Tao Feng-Yinchuan • Vancouver

Dave Mckamey • Penticton

Kamron Garbe Tyler Welfing

Jay Perrin & Family

Shea Larking

Jesse Toso Tao Feng-Yinchuan

Brigitte Lochhead

Meet a few of this year’s artists

Brigitte Lochhead

birdseyechainsawart.com

Origin story • I was in my seventh year teaching Montessori Kindergarten when I first picked up a chainsaw. I began carving in my free time then soon decided to apply to art school where I completed a BFA in fine arts at Emily Carr Art and Design in Vancouver. I stepped away from teaching and have been carving while working part-time in the art sector.

Recognition • I have been carving competitively since I started and have received many awards over the years in different categories. I’m still striving to place in the pro division.

Fun fact • I was a contestant on the first ever chainsaw competetion TV show, A Cut Above.

Tao Feng-Yinchuan

Origin Story • Originally from China where he went to art school, Tao has lived in Vancouver for 13 years now.

Fun fact • This is Tao’s second wood carving competition. Although he has been carving for two decades, wood is a new medium for him.

Tyler Welfing

CarveWel Creations

Origin story • Tyler’s background is 20 years in construction and cabinetry. He has been carving for three years.

Recognition • Third place Manitou Beach. First place semi-pro, Hope, BC.

Fun fact • I also carve snow and ice.

2023 #2 Winner

Shea Larking

Origin story • I’ve been carving coming up on 10 years. I usually carve wildlife.

Recognition • I have won awards in Powell River, Hope, Campbell River, and Orillia.

Fun fact • My girlfriend, Mandy Chalmers, and I met at a carving event and named our son Cedar.

Jay Perrin

Bar and Chain wood design

Origin story • Jay was born and raised in Powell River, and worked in the forest sector for 22 years. He has been carving for about 7 years.

Recognition • Jay won the carving competition here in 2018.

Fun fact • I love everything outdoors: fishing hiking camping, hunting.

Kamron Garbe

kgwoodcraft.ca

2023 Winner#1

Origin story • Kamron is a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on wood, antler, and ice. He has a background in carpentry, painting, and design. After years of travelling, Kamron has been working with a chainsaw for the past five years.

Recognition • First place at the Manitou competition in Saskatchewan 2023, first place in Powell River ‘23, third at the English open ‘24, and international commissions....

Fun fact • Became a divemaster in Thailand, Kamron enjoys spinning fire.

Jesse Toso

tosowoodworks.com

Origin story • I was raised by a carpenter and have always produced art. In the past two decades I have focused my artistic passion on wood sculpture and designing furniture.

Recognition • I have had numerous large commissions, one is in Powell River for a bed and breakfast. I was on a team in 2024 invited to carve at the Blockhausencup in Germany and we won People’s choice and third place.

Fun fact • I was a contestant on the Discovery Channel series “A Cut Above” in 2022 that picked twelve chainsaw carvers from around the world and challenged them on artistry, stamina, and carving skills in time-constrained challenges.

2023 Results

Novice Logger of the Day • Connor Robertson

Intermediate Logger of the Day • Tyler Brady

Sportsman of the Day • Morgan Bischoff

Open Logger of the Day • Stirling Hart

Lady Logger of the Day • Andrea Hand

Sportsman of the Day • Walt Page Novice

Canadian Championship Tree Climb • Cash McQuaid

Canadian Championship Underhand Chop • Connor

Robertson

Canadian Championship Axe Throw • Sean Yokoyama

Intermediate

Canadian Championship Obstacle Pole • Brad Laviolette

Canadian Championship Stock Saw Husky Challenge • Brett Marquis

Underhand Chop • Tyler Brady

Canadian Championship Double Buck • Verjall Ham and Keenan Young

North American Championship 100CC • Brett Marquis Springboard 2 Board Springboard • Tyler Brady

Ladies

Canadian Championship Single Buck • Allison Briscoe

Canadian Championship Jill and Jill Double Buck • Allison Briscoe and Dawn Briscoe

Axe Throw • Andrea Hand

Open

Axe Throw • Mitch Hewitt

Canadian Championship Tree Climb • Sean Yokoyama

Canadian Championship Underhand • Nate Hodges

Single Buck • Stirling Hart

Canadian Champ 4 Board Springboard • Mitch Hewitt

Canadian Champ 140CC Springboard • Mitch Hewitt

Obstacle Pole • Stirling Hart

Canadian Championship Double Buck • Nick Russell and Nick Hall

North American Championship Unlimited Hotsaw • Nate Hodges

Jack and Jill Double Bucking • Allison Briscoe and Stirling Hart

CAN/AM Relay • Canada

Two hand fallers falling a fir tree. Undated. Photo courtesy of the qathet Museum.

604-483-6834 • prlogger@shaw.ca

Top Ten Reasons To Wear A Pollen Sweater

Woodsmen.

Wearing Pollen Sweaters since 1986. Pollen Sweaters are everything a logger or woodsman needs them to be: comfortable, warm even when wet, tough, machine-washable, and ruggedly good-looking. Some Pollen Sweaters fans recently re-staged a photo from 1986.

No pop bottles were hurt making Pollen Sweaters. You’ll be helping sheep stay cool in summer. e pure wool stays warm even when wet. Non-itchy, and soft enough to wear next to sensitive skin. Machine washable and dryer safe at moderate temperature. We put the label on the inside where it belongs. Designed to layer smoothly under or over other garments. No o shore sweatshops. Ours is here at home. If it ever wears out compost it. Makes you 50 to 90% more handsome. (results may vary)

For washable wool sweaters and ponchos, toques, books and jewelry, find us above Nancy’s Bakery in Lund