Hometown entrant will pole-climb at Powell River Logger Sports

Powell River Logger Sports is coming back to Loggers Memorial Bowl Amphitheatre next month for its 25th year. Audiences at the Willingdon Beach venue will be looking out for local champion Tyler Brady as he attempts the challenging pole-climb.

“The last couple years I sat out of the tree climbing [event], but this year I’m doing it,” said Brady. “It’s fairly tough. I have my own tree business on the side and I climb all the time, but this competition is a little trickier.”

Brady grew up on the Queen Charlotte Islands [officially renamed Haida Gwaii in 2009], where logging had been a major industry in the area, over 100 years, and a way of life for his family.

“Logger sports represents how challenging it was to log back then,” said Brady. 

Logging on the coast was not for the faint of heart in the early 1900s, and was mostly done with hand-saws and not much safety equipment. Men would climb hundreds of feet up giant old-growth trees on steep slopes to chop the top then roll the massive log down to the water. 

Most of the logger sports games imitate those early day logging practices that took strength and courage. Thankfully, with time and technology, loggers no longer chop with hand saws and axes, and have better safety protocols.

“I enjoy the underhand chop and the springboard competition,” said Brady. “Way back in the day, because there was such a flare on the big old trees at the roots, they used to have to get up 100 feet or more to chop in the cylinder of the tree.” 

Loggers would have a springboard for their feet to help them move higher on the tree. This was dangerous as there was a risk of the spring breaking or falling out.

Now called the springboard chop competition, competitors use a 2x6 board with a metal shoe for traction, chopping and springing their way to the top of the nine-foot pole. Brady said he enjoys the chopping events the best, but will be competing in all events.

“The underhand chop is more straightforward,” said Brady. “There is a piece of wood in a steel cradle that you chop between your feet.” 

The underhand chop shows-off competitors’ swiftness and skill. The woodchoppers wear chainmail socks to avoid the razor sharp axe that could damage their feet. All the events are judged on time; whomever takes the shortest amount of time to perform each task wins.

As for training for these physically challenging events, Brady said he doesn’t have much time due to busy work and family commitments. 

“When we turn the blocks that we chop [at work], we skin all the bark off to get them to the normal dimensions, then I practice chopping to keep my muscle memory,” said Brady.

Brady won the Canadian Logger Sports Association titles of Novice and Intermediate Logger of the Year in 2017. He loves the logger games because, “it’s part of our [Sunshine Coast] history and reflects who I am,” said Brady.

Before European settlers and logging companies moved into the region, First Nations peoples logged selectively and sustainably. There is evidence of culturally modified trees all over the qathet region, mainly strips taken for baskets and art.

“Logger sports expresses the long and proud history of those who labour in the woods: men and women, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, young and old,” stated Powell River Logger Sports organizers, in a media release. 

“Expect to see local, national and international competitors showcasing their heritage logging skills in the springboard chop, pole climb, underhand chop, chokerman’s race, pole bucking, hand-bucking, hot rod power saws and much more,” the release stated. “There’s also a world-renowned chainsaw carving competition, booths, entertainment and food.” 

This all happens from July 14 to 16. Admission is free.

Organizers are asking attendees to bring a non-perishable food item, or cash, for donation to Powell River Action Centre Food Bank. Loggers Sports is hoping to fill a gravel truck each day with the donations.

At this year’s opening ceremonies, every level of government will be represented and showing support for the games including: Tla’amin Nation’s executive council and hegus John Hackett; City of Powell River mayor Ron Woznow; Powell River-Sunshine Coast MLA Nicholas Simons, North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney; and BC’s minister for sport and culture Lana Popham.

Wood to be used during the events has been donated by Thichum Forest Products (Tla’amin Nation), Western Forest Products and Powell River Community Forest