Ever wondered what the lumberjacks of the world do for sports? Timbersports is an incredible woodcutting competition for athletes using axes and saws to chop and cut through different types of wood.
You have to be agile, strong, and knowledgeable about wood and equipment. Muscles will only get you so far in timber sports!
Are you interested in having a go? Then you will need to know what kind of woods are used in timber sports and what this sport actually is. I have everything you need to know about the types of wood used in timber sports and how to compete.
Let’s get into it!
Kinds Of Woods Used In Timbersports
Nearly all of the competition’s disciplines use sustainable Poplar wood that is grown for the industrial sector. The only exception is the Single Buck discipline, where competitors must utilize Pinewood in its place.
What Are Timbersports?
Athletes from many disciplines compete in Timbersports, an official wood-cutting sport, where they use axes and saws to chop and cut through various pieces of wood, just like a professional lumberjack would.
A high level of woodcutting expertise, experience, and tactical awareness is required for the competition, as well as the ability to operate heavy, high-duty machinery to cut into the wood.
In 1985, Stihl Timbersports was established, with the first transmissions coming from Wisconsin in the United States. It was only shown as a local competition at the time.
On several occasions throughout the nation, people won honors. At that time, the organization had the idea to gather some of the top athletes from across the nation and set up a series of competitions that were entirely focused on determining who would win the title of the best lumberjack.
In 1985, Stihl Timbersports was established, with the first transmissions coming from Wisconsin in the United States.
The Stihl Timbersports College Series, which featured more than 60 woodsman teams in North America, was created in an effort to promote competitiveness at the university level.
A seed is awarded to the victor for the professional series the following year. In 2017, the Women’s Professional Division was established.
Timbersport Disciplines
Timbersport is divided into six disciplines or events. Each athlete must showcase their skill and talent with an axe and saw.
1. Standing Block Chop
The Standing Block Chop replicates a tree being cut down. A 30 cm-diameter block of wood is fastened vertically in a metal platform and needs to be quickly cut through from both sides.
The Standing Block Chop competition is won or lost on the basis of precise axe strokes and a strong swing. Elite competitors in this discipline finish in under 13 seconds.
2. Stock Saw
All participants in this category use the brand-new MS 661 C-M, a standard STIHL chain saw with fully electronic engine management. The athlete grabs the saw at the “Go” signal and uses it to cut the wood (diameter 40 cm).
Two cookies must be sliced, one upward and one downward, from a defined region of a horizontally mounted log by the contestants.
The competitors in this category will be disqualified if the cookies don’t meet the required thickness. The fastest athletes can finish this discipline in ten seconds or less.
3. Underhand Chop
The Underhand Chop entails using an axe to cut through a 32 cm thick, horizontally mounted tree trunk from both sides. In practice, this technique is equivalent to chopping up a felled tree.
The athlete is positioned atop the log. The sole result of cutting it through from one side is a disqualification. The Underhand Chop performs best in less than 15 seconds.
4. Single Buck
With a crosscut saw of about 2 meters in length, a wooden “cookie” is removed from a horizontally fixed tree trunk (diameter: 46 centimeters or 1.5 feet) (6ft7).
The athlete’s rhythm and dynamics are absolutely crucial in this sport. It is possible to spray the saw with a mixture of oils to improve its lubricity. An assistant might also drive a wedge between the cookie and the trunk.
5. Springboard
In this discipline, the participant inserts two platforms (springboards) into slots carved out of a wood that is positioned vertically. The goal is to cut through a chunk of wood with a diameter of 27 cm that is located at the tip of the log.
In the beginning, loggers in North America utilized this technique to create a cutting platform above the exceptionally hard root bases, which may be up to a meter tall.
The athlete makes the first pocket in the log at shoulder height, about ten cm deep, upon the judge’s beginning signal. He inserts the first springboard’s point into it. In order to carve a second pocket
in the wood, the athlete then stands on that board. He begins sawing through the block at the top while standing on the second springboard at a height of roughly two meters. The wood must be cut through from both sides in this instance as well.
Strength, balance, and expertise are required for springboard combined with a precise technique. Springboard’s fastest times worldwide are under 40 seconds.
6. Hot Saw
The goal is to use a hot saw, an incredibly strong, specially tuned chainsaw, to quickly cut three biscuits of a specific thickness from a horizontally positioned trunk (diameter 46 cm).
Controlling the power focused in the 60 to 80 HP chain saw is the problem in this profession. These machines require the athletes to perform at their very best due to their weight of around 30 kg and approximate chain speed of 250 km/h.
Hot Saw competition international top times are less than six seconds.
How To Compete
As mentioned above, Timbersports was created by STIHL and since its creation, the competition has become widespread. In order to train and compete as a Timbersports athlete you must complete the training courses that STIHL provides.
There are two types of TIMBERSPORTS® training camps: continuation camp and beginners camp. The continuation camp and the beginner’s camp are both offered in our training facility in Orsa, Sweden.
Beginner’s camp does come with a rather large fee however this provides your accommodation, wood, equipment, meals, and expert training from professional athletes.
Continuation camp is for those who have completed beginner camp and wish for extra support and training. All expenses are covered by STIHL for continuation camp, unlike beginners camp.
Athlete must be 16 years or older in order to apply and compete.
So, if signing up to beginners camp to begin your training for Timbersports sounds like a challenge then simply fill in the application form and pay your fee!
Conclusion
So, what wood is used in Timbersport events? Most events use Poplar wood with the exception of the Single Buck discipline which uses Pinewood.
Timbersports is an extreme sports competition where men and women from all over the world compete in 6 disciplines and show expertise in the use of an axe and saw.
This is one of the ultimate shows of strength, agility, and accuracy there is. And you can compete!
Sign up for their beginner camp in Sweden and learn from some of the best athletes in the world. Push your body and mind to achieve something incredible and even win a trophy or two along the way!