STORY CONTINUES BELOW THESE SALTWIRE VIDEOS

CHARLOTTETOWN, P.E.I. — After trying my hand at Timbersports, I can say with confidence, the pros make it look much easier than it actually is.

The Stihl Timbersports came to Charlottetown July 29-31 for the Stihl Timbersports 2022 Canadian Championship and Canadian Trophy competitions.

On July 28, P.E.I. Timbersport athlete Brittany MacLean and co-host Ryan McIntyre met this reporter at the main stage for a demonstration.

MacLean grew up in Wheatley River, P.E.I., and got into Timbersports while studying at the University of New Brunswick, where there was a woodsman team.

“It was kind of something I’d never seen before or did before and it was definitely intriguing to me,” said MacLean. “I just wanted to try something new and see if I could do it.”

After two years on the team, she decided she wanted to continue on and turned pro.

Read more Lumberjack competitions at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown July 29-31 Stihl Timbersports bringing Canadian championship to Charlottetown

Lumberjack competitions at Confederation Landing Park in Charlottetown July 29-31

Stihl Timbersports bringing Canadian championship to Charlottetown

First up, we tackled the stock saw.

MacLean is a national champion in this discipline, which uses a 91 cc Stihl chainsaw. Each saw is identical and is “stock” from the manufacturer.

I brought along my editor, Ryan Ross, to be the SaltWire Network cameraman. While he and I take notes, MacLean dons her safety equipment – Kevlar chaps, safety glasses and hearing protection. For this event in Charlottetown, all the wood for sawing is eastern white pine.

A line is drawn all around the log, four inches in from the end. MacLean must make two cuts in that four-inch space to release two cookies or discs of wood, said McIntyre.

When MacIntyre calls, “start your saws”, MacLean pull-starts the large chainsaw, which fires up on the first try. Then she places both hands on the log.

McIntyre calls “go” and she picks up the running saw and smoothly makes one cut down and, in the same motion, draws the saw up through the log cutting from below to release two “cookies” or discs of log.

MacLean’s best time is 10.92 seconds, and this performance wasn’t far off that.

Then it was my turn.

I had taken the chainsaw safety course previously but had never put the lesson to use until today.

Once I had put on the pink chaps handed to me, along with safety shades and ear defenders, I felt slightly more competent.

That is, until I tried to start the machine.

Like a grumpy teenager, the saw let out a grunt with each pull on the cord, but nothing more.

McIntyre stepped in and must have said some reassuring words as he flipped a knob or two because the beast did fire up for me – eventually.

“Just make the one cut, down,” said McIntyre, perhaps sensing my nerves.

I did and the saw cut so smoothly I felt a rush of confidence and wanted to keep going, so with a nod from the pros, I mimicked MacLean and drew the saw up as well.

My cookies were pretty big, about four inches each, so I’m sure I could get better if I practised.

Next, we took on the underhand chop, MacLean’s favourite discipline.

I gave back the pink chaps, glasses and earmuffs but not because chopping is any less dangerous.

MacLean loaned me her chainmail socks, which are just what they sound like. Sitting on the log, like the pros, McIntyre assured me that they would stop the axe from cutting me, in case of a rogue swing. As I pulled on the flexible footwear, I could see they were made of thousands of tiny metal loops interlaced into a metal mesh. They extended up my legs and tied around my calves.

While I was nervous to use the chainsaw, I was excited to try chopping.

McIntyre took the first few swings since one of the most dangerous parts is the very beginning when athletes are making their first hits. That’s when the axe can slip sideways and make the metal socks earn their keep.

Four large chips of aspen flew away under his practiced technique, even though he insisted he was a little rusty after hosting for a few years.

Satisfied the log was safe for the beginner, he handed me the visitor’s axe, a five-pound custom item made in New Zealand for competitive lumberjacks.

With a leather guard on, McIntyre asked me to go through the motions a few times and gave me a few pointers – when lifting the axe, place your hands farther apart and let them slide together on the downswing. I did my best, trying not to hit the axe in its guard on the log.

Then, finally, I was set free.

I stepped up and placed my feet on foot holds cut to either side of the chopping area. A chalk line marked the centre of the log and two more angled out at 45 degrees to make a “v”.

Hoisting the shiny blade, I brought it down aiming for the marks and … not quite hitting them.

I guess I expected to be as good as the pros on my first swing. Undeterred, I tried again – and again – creating a pool of quarter-sized woodchips around the base of the log

Clearly, I had forgotten everything MacLean had told me earlier that might have helped me.

“We usually try to keep with a pattern. So, we’ll hit two hit, two hits on one side and then go to the other side and make another two hits,” she had said.

After whaling away on the log for a dozen or so hits, I was getting winded and wasn’t impressed with my aim, but I was making progress, so when the “v” shape was about halfway through, I turned around, the way I’d seen on TV.

This time, McIntyre hadn’t gotten it started for me and I faced a smooth log. Taking aim at the chalk line I kept going.

The first blow cut nice and deep, and I was energized afresh to keep going.

I started wondering how I would wrap it all up when McIntyre stopped me.

I guess the other most dangerous part is the last chop when the two halves fall apart.

We swapped places and with three quick hits, he nimbly leapt down away from the two halves.

Alison Jenkins is a health reporter with the SaltWire Network in Prince Edward Island. She can be reached by email at [email protected] and followed on Twitter @ReporterAlison.

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