Sport Logging: A Sport That Brings The Wood.

Even if competitions broadcast on television can make you smile, competitive lumberjacking is a fully-fledged sport and a fascinating spectacle that you might enjoy. Here are 5 good reasons to discover this unusual and underrated sport.

1- It is a discipline still little known in France.

Sport logging is a discipline that originated in Oceania in the 19th century. Today, Australia and New Zealand still dominate the world rankings in this sport.

In France, this discipline is still relatively unknown and surprises with its rustic and unusual nature, even though it has been very popular in North America since the end of the 20th century, as well as in Germany and the Nordic countries.

There has been a federation in France for 15 years, but it only has 200 members. While most French people are not yet interested in competitive woodcutting, the Basques are familiar with this type of competition.

In fact, there is a local version of logging called "trontza" in the Basque Country. It is a Basque strength competition where participants have to cut logs as quickly as possible.

2- The loggers are true athletes.

Do not be fooled by appearances: men who practice competitive logging are not just experts with chainsaws in plaid shirts! They are true athletes.

They practice a demanding sport discipline that requires strength and endurance, as well as speed, precision, and concentration.

During the competitions, which can vary in nature, loggers must combine perfect tool handling, precise movements, quick execution, and respect for constraints.

3- They clash over different cutting techniques.

Even though timber sports involve cutting wood, competitions in this field are more nuanced than one might think.

For example, the Stihl Timbersport Series consists of 6 wood-cutting events: three axe events, one single-person cross-cut saw event, and two chainsaw events with different machines.

In each event, loggers must use a specific tool, ranging from a simple axe to the most advanced chainsaw, and employ a prescribed technique.

For instance, one event simulates felling a tree with an axe by laterally chopping a 30 cm diameter log as quickly as possible. Another event involves splitting a previously felled tree as fast as possible.

As you can see, this wood-cutting sport is governed by strict rules. Official competitions have even been using video refereeing for the past ten years, long before football!

4- The show is impressive.

With sometimes overpowered cutting machines and impressive pieces of wood, competitive logging offers great spectacle to spectators and viewers who follow the competitions.

It is no coincidence that this emerging sport in France is attracting more and more media attention, especially from sports channels in search of diversity. In France, it is the channel L'Équipe that has been broadcasting the Timbersport Stihl Series events for about ten years.

But beyond the show, competitive logging is a real sport, with its own rules and equipment. In this discipline, the safety of competitors is taken seriously. Wearing chainmail socks and protective goggles is mandatory.

5- It is an ecological discipline.

Contrary to what you might think, sports logging is not a waste of wood.

The wood that competitors use to train and compete in competitions is completely recovered and recycled into firewood for individuals.

With its ecological approach and the resurgence of wood heating in France, this discipline is truly in tune with the times!