Strongman & Highland Events, June 19th, Oregon

[Steve Spellman]

Mark and Eric Wechter are putting on their second 'John Wechter Braveheart Strongman and Highland Games' contest in memory of their father. If I wasn't trying to organize my contest I would go and try this. The events sound like fun to me. There are details on Julie Havelka's site at: http://www.juliehavelka.com/braveheart2005.html

Two weight classes for men (235 under / over) and 8 events:
* 100lb STONE THROW-- 15ft approach, 3 attempts, max distance
* TIRE MEDLEY -- 450, 600, 760 lb tires, 4 flips each, 75 sec limit
* CABER toss for distance -- 3 attempts
* Seated arm-over-arm TRUCK PULL -- 75ft, 60s limit
* 22lb HAMMER THROW -- feet planted, 3 attempts, max distance
* LOG PRESS-- max reps in 75 sec, 200lbs for lightweights, 240 lbs hvwt
* 56lb WEIGHT FOR DISTANCE -- kettle bell thrown backward from a standing position, 3 attempts
* FAT HANDLED FARMER'S WALK -- 2 1/2 inch thick, knurled handles, max distance in 60 sec, drops allowed

If any of you guys do this contest, let us know what it was like. I want to throw a 100 lb stone and toss a caber!

[Morgan Guthner]

Gonna go and spectate this year - I too am very interested in learning the highland events.

[Mac Smith]

Man, I wish I could participate. This comp reminds me of some of the old time WSM shows they used to show back in the 80s-90s. More contest like this should be put on. But I guess it gives an unfair advantage to olympic style throwers, but who cares, it's seems like a real strongman contest to me!!!

[Jesse Marunde]

I wish I could do it...

[Steve Spellman]

Next year I'll try to co-ordinate better with Jesse, Mark in OR and Corey in ID so that it might be easier for everyone to do all these contest. A couple of years ago, Corey was the only guy putting any shows on. I also want to make sure we don't coincide with any big weightlifting or powerlifting weekends.

[Anthony Moses]

100lb stone throw sounds crazy......do you have a pic of someone doing this.....I imagine you can't throw it like a shot if it weighs 100lbs......either way something like that sounds like fun.

[K James]

Hi Guys, For anyone wanting to find out more information about the idea of competing in Highland games you can check out the NASGA site. They have a list of games, and forum.

The site is www.nasgaweb.com

Good Luck

[Patrick McGuffin]

do i get a kilt?

[Jamie McEwan]

I had thought that to compete in the HGs you must wear a kilt.

[K James]

Most of the games require that you wear a kilt although some of them will let you get away with not wearing one your first couple of games. Better to check with the director prior to competing.

[Morgan Guthner]

I was there for the first few hours as a spectator. They set it up w/4 strongman events and 4 highland events. There were about 4 people in ea class. Obviously, those with highland event experience did much better than those who didnt. The 100lb stone throw seemed like the only pure strength event of the highland type. Basically, you press a stone overhead, run up to the block, and shove it out as far as possible. The winner did a 13' something throw, which was pretty good, as the record is 15 something. Anyhow, was kickass - definately gonna participate next year.

[GDolan]

More contest like this should be put on.
I definitely second this.
Strongman was derived from Highland Games - there should be some kind of throwing event included in these modern shows today.....ya know...for history's sake ;)

[Patrick McGuffin]

what like throwing skinny people like cabers???

[Jamie McEwan]

Geoff's got a bias! He'd kill 75% of the strongmen out there on the HGs from what I've heard! ;)
But yeah, I agree. I think the WFD and WFH should be used in lots of other strongman contests. Just no spinning the WFH. :)

[SBaier]

I'm with Geoff on this one ... as a former thrower, I would love to see a throwing event in every strongman contest!! At least then, I know I could do well in at least one event :)

[GDolan]

I think a tire throw, weight for height, or a light caber for distance (scandanavian style) would fit in nicely in a lot of shows today (remember the old PURE STRENGTH contests with Kaz and JPS). Or even that #100 rock throw sounds cool. Back in the 80's there was a show in Canada that all the top athletes were invited to, Le Defi Mark 10 (originally the Louis Cyr show) that had a stone throw that was heavy enough that shot putters could not use their advantage but being powerful and explosive was an asset, as it had to be thrown backwards overhead for distance. I think the fans would like to see events like this as a nice variance to what's out there.....what do you guys think? maybe someone can come up with another type of hybraid event (like the caber for dist.)???

[Jesse Snadden]

I've never done any serious throwing, but seriously I wouldn't mind it. (I like short power events) Besides, I would just get Geoff to show me the secrets next time he's in Canada.

[GDolan]

I got that uncoordinated ox, Jessen to throw 14'6" on the weight for height the very first time he touched it. He has tons of power - just had to show him how to direct it ;)

[Jesse Snadden]

uncoordinated ox, Jessen

Ha .. that sounds like him alright. Apparently he was only grazing 10-11ft until you gave him pointers.

[Jay O'Neill]

I agree Geoff... In the Portland Highland games we use a 96 pound "portland" stone. 15 foot run up to the trig and HEAVE!

[GDolan]

Wow, that is huge :eek:
The biggest one I ever came up against was a #64 stone in the All-Strength Challenge series in 2001. Ed Brost won with almost 18' and that was with a shot put style throw!!! I did a back throw but could only get 16' something....

[Jay O'Neill]

How is Ed doing these days? I used to see him at the Enumclaw games. I heard he was getting Larger! You look like you a have been getting bigger as well. Keep up the good work! Maybe I need to move to Canada. :BB:

[GDolan]

Big Ed is stronger than ever, from what I've heard. He just placed second at one of the highest profile shows in Western Canada earlier this month.
He he is with a 690 axle DL & him finishing a OH medley with a 16" 320lbs. log!!!! :F:

[JEFF VANCO]

Yep - that's what I like to see - Canadians kicking ass.

Ed's a strong man - full of brute strength.

Powerlifting Rules,

Biglog :BP:

[GDolan]

Outside of Tom Magee, Ed is one of the most accomplished PL'ers ever to come out of the great white north! When I started lifting, I looked at his numbers as a goal, and guess what, I'm still looking ! :BB:

[Jay O'Neill]

definately.... and one hell of a nice guy as well. Speaking of Canadian's that kick ass, How is Hugo. I hope he is not retiring. Have you heard anymore on this rumor?
By the way, thanks for taking the time to post the Pics.

[GDolan]

Hugo is done for the year (achilles), but said nothing about retirement.



http://www.ironmind.com/morenews.php?id=1206#1206

[Jesse Snadden]

I talked to Hugo on Saturday. He is not retiring. He told me his pressing is way up because that's all he could train ...