An instructor at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus is preparing to travel to Germany for the World Timbersports Championships.
Scott Read was recently named to Canada’s six-member team. He first started the sport when he was in 4-H and has been on the professional circuit for six years.
He says it’s all about strength, speed, skill and safety.
“It’s an extreme sport, I mean, it’s taking the heritage of what we used to do to collect our timber and turn it into an athletic event,” says Read, who is also an instructor in the engineering department at Dalhousie University’s Agricultural Campus in Bible Hill, N.S.
“My biggest training is actually coming out here and hitting the wood. I’ll pull about six single buck cookies an evening if I can, and as well do two or three chops to really focus in on those skills of the event.”
Read used to be on Dalhousie University’s woodsmen team when he was a student. Now, he coaches both the male and female teams.
“He’s a tough coach but you need that in the sport because you need to be committed, especially when you’re using expensive equipment and somewhat dangerous equipment as well,” says student Jessie Swinamer. “You have to be serious about it.”
“A lot of people just think, oh, they’re just cutting a little bit of wood, whereas really, we’re putting a lot of pressure and strength into what we’re doing,” says student Scott Withrow.
Read admits he’s feeling some pressure as a member of Team Canada, but he’s working hard to stay sharp.
“I really want to do my best and I want to make sure that everybody that I’ve beat out or who has encouraged me to this point in my lumberjack career, my timbersports career, that I make them proud,” he says.
Read and the rest of the team will be meeting up in Toronto on Nov. 4 before flying to Germany for the World Timbersports Championships, which begin Nov. 11.
With files from CTV Atlantic's Dan MacIntosh
