The tools of B.C.'s traditional industry will take centre stage in Ladysmith on Sunday, Sept. 14 for Ladysmith Loggers’ Sports. The event supports the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock, an annual bike tour across Vancouver Island that raises funds for childhood cancer research and support programs.
The loggers’ sports exhibition event, hosted by local Tour de Rock volunteers, will take place at the Transfer Beach amphitheatre starting at 2 p.m. Admission is free with donations welcomed to support the cause.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been able to have the show so it’s going to be a lot of fun,” said longtime Tour de Rock volunteer Duck Paterson. “We plan it to be a great family event and it’s free. We hope folks will donate what they can as everything we collect goes directly to the Cops for Cancer Tour de Rock.”
Professional logging athletes will compete in a series of timed events that showcase speed, strength and precision. Chainsaw relays, hand-saw races and axe throws are on the lineup along with a few crowd-pleasing surprises.
One highlight will be the return of Best in the Bush, a team relay that pits local groups against each other in a series of timed, novice challenges.
“Along with the Tour team, there will also be a team from the Kinsmen and the North Oyster Fire Department, and we hope possibly one or two more,” said Paterson. Each team will tackle axe throwing, chainsaw bucking, hand bucking and an obstacle race.
Among the upgrades this year are three massive dummy logs donated by Western Forest Products, replacing the aging logs used for over a decade. These serve as the base for events like sawing and obstacle races and are typically stored in the burling pond until the following year.
“We can’t do this event without generous sponsors, it enables us to do the show for free,” said Paterson.
This year’s key supporters include Spuzzum Contracting, LCU Insurance Agencies, Mosaic Forest Management and the Town of Ladysmith.
He added, “others that have stepped forward so we can do the event are Husky Forest Services, FMC Holdings, Holland Creek Partnership, Integrity Electric, Xtend Rentals and Safety, Ladysmith Kinsmen, Save-On-Foods, Arbutus RV, Walker’s Saw Shop and Ladysmith and North Oyster Fire/Rescue.”
Volunteers will be on-site starting Friday to prepare the space. The amphitheatre’s brick surface must be covered for safety and protection.
“Paulcan Enterprises has donated all the wood chips for the ground cover and Ryler Holdings transports them to the site,” Paterson explained. “When the show is over, the town collects the chips as they are used as part of the bio-filter at the treatment plant.”
Equipment storage presents a unique challenge at the site, which was originally designed to accommodate loggers' sports.
“The wooden platform on the deck is actually the cover for the burling pond and of course the two climbing poles are a dead giveaway,” said Paterson. “RKM Cranes will be supplying the crane to lift the cover off the burling pond and take out the apparatus, and when the show is over they put it all back for us.”
Members of Ladysmith Fire/Rescue will be barbecuing hotdogs throughout the afternoon, and an ice cream vendor will also be on-site.
Paterson recommends bringing a lawn chair or blanket and settling in for a lively afternoon celebrating B.C.’s traditional industry sport.
Anyone interested in helping with the loggers’ sports event is asked to call 250-246-0637.
— with files from Duck Paterson
