Image Credit: CFJC Today

By Adam Donnelly

FEATS O' STRENGTH

Kamloops Highland Games Heavy Events ‘like showing up to a family reunion’

Jul 15, 2019 | 4:32 PM

KAMLOOPS — Feats of strength are the likely the oldest form of competition on earth, and one of those classic strongman traditions is the Heavy Events at the Highland Games.

At the Kamloops Highland Games on Saturday, competitors from across Western Canada donned their kilts and tested their strength.

With the pipes blaring in the background, it was a near-perfect day for the lads and lassies taking part in the Heavy Events at the 12th annual Kamloops Highland Games. If you’re not familiar with the Heavy Events, it’s a test of an athletes ability to generate power throwing heavy objects for distance or height.

“Well, we’ve got stone-putting, weight throws, hammer throws, and then we’ve got our height events which are weight-for-height and the sheaf toss, which done with a pitchfork. And there’s the iconic caber toss,” Heavy Events Athletic Director Norm Little said. “The best way to get ready for this is to find something similar and try throwing it.”

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Ray Siochowicz is the Heavy Events Athletic Director for the Victoria Highland Games. Like many athletes, Ray travels all over western Canada and even into the US to compete.

“It depends on the year,” Siochowicz told CFJC Today. “I’ve done as many as 20 to 30 in one season, but usually it’s about 10.”

While events like the stone put and the weight throw share similarities with modern athletic activities, there’s nothing quite like tossing the caber.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“It’s based on accuracy,” Little explained. “You want to flip the caber end over end, and as if you were standing at the bottom of the clock at 6 o’clock, you want it to land straight across from you at 12 o’clock.”

Sounds easy, right? But when you’re dealing with a utility pole that’s 18 feet long and weighs 74 pounds, easy doesn’t factor into the equation. Just ask Alex McAra.

Image Credit: CFJC Today

“It’s wobbly,” McAra remarked. “Once it starts going, it’s tough to save.”

McAra traveled all the way from Edmonton to compete in Kamloops on Saturday. He was one of only a pair of athletes in the Men’s Open Division who were able to turn the caber.

“I always try to hold it really high,” McAra said, describing his technique. “Pull early. If it starts coming off your shoulder, it’s too late.”

Winning is always fun, but sometimes the caber won’t turn for you. For both Ray and Alex, the best part about competing in the Heavy Events is the bond you forge with the other competitors.

“It’s just the best people,” McAra said. “This is a sport that’s just easy to have a lot of fun with.”

Siochowicz describes the Heavy Events competitors like a family.

“You get to see all these guys you’ve thrown with for 10 years.”