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Powell River Logger Sports competitors defend titles

International and local participants prime their skills for upcoming weekend event
Powell River Logger Sports

Competitors from around the world will descend upon Loggers Memorial Bowl at Willingdon Beach when Powell River Logger Sports returns for its second show since being revived in 2016 after an 11-year absence.

From Friday, July 14, through Sunday, July 16, the sport’s top male and female performers will compete in novice, intermediate and open (senior) categories for a total prize purse of more than $80,000. In addition to drawing competitors from as far away as Australia and New Zealand, the show features Germans, Americans and Canadians in more than 30 events with five world and 13 Canadian championships up for grabs.

Powell River participants were prominent in 2016, claiming first place in multiple novice and intermediate events, including Canadian championships in Tree Climb (Julian Welp), Axe Throw (Brett Marquis) and Double Buck (Marquis and Jeff Coburn). Coburn also claimed top spot in Obstacle Pole and Allan Knapp finished first in the Chokerman’s Race. All local winners from 2016 are expected to be on hand to defend their titles, as is Tyler Brody, who has already captured a national title in 2017.

“Tyler was just at Port McNeill Logger Sports three weeks ago and won the Novice Springboard Chop,” says Powell River Logger Sports vice president Art Lloyd. “They held the Canadian championship there for that event, so he is the Canadian champion this year.”

A group of local competitors formed Powell River Axemen’s club last year. Its members train together and travel to other logger sports shows, which take place in various communities throughout BC during spring and summer months.

“Four of them went to Kaslo for an event in May and five or six went to Port McNeill,” says Lloyd. “They are going to Bralorne and Chase for two different shows on July 1 weekend, too, so they’ll be ready for our show.”

Logger sports shows take place all over North America, says Lloyd, and can keep regular competitors busy every other weekend, if they are so inclined.

“If you are competitive you can earn enough winnings to travel, enjoy the show and not have it come out of your pocket,” says Lloyd, “but if you’re not winning it becomes expensive to attend all the shows.”

In addition to competitive events, the family-friendly weekend features local food and craft vendors, a chainsaw carving competition, a dance at Carlson Community Club on Saturday night and the return of legendary loggers sports clown Paul MacKenzie.
One of the most popular aspects of last year’s show, MacKenzie was a fixture on the logger sports circuit for more than 40 years before retiring in 2013.

“We dragged him out of retirement last year and convinced him to come again this year,” says Lloyd. “Getting him back is a coup because nobody else really does it and the crowd loves him, especially the kids.”

Also back by popular demand is a high-tree act featuring a daring stunt performer on the 90-foot poles towering over Loggers Memorial Bowl.

“It’s one of the highlights of the weekend,” says Lloyd. “He climbs to the top, does a little routine and wows the crowd.”

Gates open at 2 pm on Friday, July 14, when admission is free with a donation to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank: cash or a non-perishable food item. The first event begins at 3 pm.

Competitions begin at 10 am on Saturday and Sunday with an official opening ceremony set for 12 pm on Saturday. Admission is $5 per day, per person, or $10 per day, per family (two adults and two children). Children under the age of 12 enter for $3 each.

For complete event schedules or more information:

powellriverloggersports.com