The Heavy Events
The Heavy Games are always a major attraction at the Highlands of Durham Games, and 2011 will be no exception!
The 2011 games will be July 28th and 29th.
THE BOB WHITMAN HEAVY EVENTS
SATURDAY, JULY 23, 2011
Professional & Masters Men's Division
- 9:30 am Miller Paving Pro & Master Open Stone
- 10:15 am Pro 56lb & Master 42lb Weight for Distance
- 11:00 am Pro & Master 28lb Weight for Distance
- 11:30 am Break for Opening Ceremonies – Athletes Lunch
- 12:50 pm Ceremonial Caber Toss – Jacob Fast, Coburg, ON
- 1:30 pm Pro & Master 22lb Hammer
- 2:00 pm Pro & Master Caber Toss
- 2:45 pm BodyFit Challenge Caber
- 3:00 pm 56lb Weight for Height
- 4:15 pm Pro & Master Sheaf Toss
- 5:00 pm Finish
SUNDAY JULY 24, 2011
Amateur Men’s Division & Ladies Division
- 9:00 am Miller Paving Men’s Open Stone & Ladies Open Stone
- 9:30 am Men’s 22lb Hammer & Ladies 12lb Hammer
- 10:30 am Men’s 56lb Weight for Distance & Ladies 28lb Weight for Distance
- 11:00 am Men’s 28lb Weight for Distance & Ladies 14lb Weight for Distance
- 12:00 pm Break – Athletes Lunch
- 1:00 pm Durham Steam Cleaning Drag
- 1:30 pm Men’s 56lb Weight for Height & Ladies 28lb Weight for Height
- 2:30 pm Men’s Caber & Ladies 12lb Sheaf
- 3:15 pm Men’s 16lb Sheaf& Ladies Caber
- 4:00 pm Finished
The Heavy Events
The Heavy Events, always a major attraction at the Highlands of Durham Game, s present some of the most entertaining Scottish strength and power athletic and sporting competitions in Canada.
Our Heavy Events are sanctioned and governed by The Canadian Scottish Athletic Federation (CSAF), chartered to preserve the traditional athletic heritage of Scottish culture through Highland Games in Canada in the form of the Heavy Events. The CSAF seek to respect the diversity of the Games in Canada, while providing support and opportunities for national unity through dialogue, education, and championships.
Every year thousands of people turn out to see some of the world’s best Scottish Heavy Events athletes compete in Uxbridge. In fact, in 2009, Uxbridge was the site of the Can-Am Invitational Championships, sponsored by Ontario Power Generation.
Our reigning champions are Lyle Barron of Country Harbour, Nova Scotia (Professional Division), Josh Goldthorpe of Bracebridge, Ontario (Amateur Division), and for the fifth year in a row, Josee Morneau of Winnipeg, Manitoba (Amateur Women’s Division).
After 44 years of attending and competing in Games – and founding the Heavy Events at the Highlands of Durham Games, Athlectics Director Bob Whitman retired last year. Bob is an inspiration and great friend to our athletes, volunteers, supporters and fans of the Durham Games.
If you are interested in competing in the Durham Games in Uxbridge as either a Professional or an Amateur (Mens/Women), please contact the new Athletics Director, Whitby resident and amateur and masters competitor, Andre Mazerolle. Also, we are considering a Masters Division, and we welcome input from competitors 40 years of age and older.
Andre Mazerolle
Athletics Director
Highlands of Durham Games
Email: andre_mazerolle@yahoo.com
Telephone: 416-564-7570
Twitter: @redbeardandre
The Heavy Events
Tossing The Caber The origin of this most traditional of Scottish athletic events is somewhat obscure, even though records of its existence (ye tossing to ye bar) date back to the 16th century. It may have begun in the Scottish Highlands a long time ago when the forest was cleared to make fields. Small streams ran through the area and in order to cross these streams without getting their feet wet, the men would cut a tree and toss it end over end, hoping it would land with one end on each bank. This tree would then be used as a bridge to cross over the stream. Those who could not toss their caber perfectly had to work with wet feet all day which created a real incentive to perfecting the art of tossing the caber correctly the first time.
The modern caber toss measures strength, accuracy and skill. The object of the contest is to toss the 100 to 120 pound, 18-19 foot long caber (pole) end-over-end so that it lands with the bottom, or small end pointing directly away from the contestant. The athlete with the straightest toss (closest to the 12 o’clock position) is the winner. Distance has no bearing on the outcome of the event at all. Three tosses are allowed and all three are scored to determine the winner.
Hammer Throw The hammer throw was started by the local blacksmiths in Scotland. Once a test of skill and strength, it developed into a contest of distance and accuracy. Similar to horse shoes, points are awarded for hitting the peg or landing close. This event is a popular test of strength and skill. The 4'22" long hammer weighing 16-22 pounds is thrown for distance. Three throws are allowed but only the longest throw wins. If any part of the body crosses the toe board, a foul is declared and the throw nullified
Stone Toss The Stone Toss (Clachneart) is a test of strength and coordination going back some 1000 years in history. The stone weighs 16 lbs., is 7 3/4" in diameter, and is thrown like today's shot put, which was derived from the clachneart. Each contest is allowed three throws for distance.
Weight Throw The 28 and 56 pound weights are thrown for distance. Three throws with each are allowed but only the longest throw wins. If any part of the body crosses the toe board, a foul is declared and the throw nullified.
Weight Toss The 14-25 pound sheaf of hay, wrapped in burlap, is tossed by pitchfork over a crossbar suspended by ropes between two tall upright poles. Three throws are allowed for each height of crossbar, which is raised six inches at a time. Failure to successfully toss the sheaf over the bar at least one time at any successive height eliminates the contestant.
Check out the Highlands of Durham Games on Facebook . We will be using the internet to greater advantage over 2010, so check us out regularly, as we will be posting pics’ and upcoming attractions in the coming months..
