Perhaps it's the onset of middle age, or of living in the Midwest, but I like watching the Great Outdoor Games on ESPN and ABC. (But then, I also like watching the World's Strongest Man Competition.) These are games such as "speed climbing," where lumberjack-type guys race up a tall tree pole with just cleats and a rope that they loop around the wood; "big air," where dogs jump off a pier into water; "hot saw," where lumberjack-type guys race using powered chain saws to slice off thin discs of wood; "log rolling"; and "boom run," where you race across floating logs that tend to spin in the water.
In short, the kinds of sporting events that probably appeal to the NASCAR crowd. And yet, here I am, fascinated by it.
This year, the games are being held in Madison, Wisconsin. Prof. Althouse consistently posts pictures of life in Madison, but I haven't seen any of the games yet. Too bad, I think it would be interesting to see what the crowds at the game look like.
UPDATE: Prof. Althouse missed the games when they were in Madison earlier in the month. She agrees that the lumberjack games are kind of fun to watch.
Well, this year's games (last year's were in Reno, NV) make Madison look like a fabulous place. No wonder Prof. Althouse is always going around taking pictures!
I really used to love the woodcutting stuff when it was on ESPN at 5:30am when I was about 10. Huge Mel Lentz fan back then.
Anywho, now I love big air too. Those doggies can fly. Nice doggies.
Posted by: Mr. Poon | July 18, 2004 at 07:25 PM
PS - they should have divisions, though. can you imagine little dachsunds trying to jump off the pier? high comedy, i say.
Posted by: Mr. Poon | July 18, 2004 at 07:26 PM
Ah, well, I am quite partial to retrievers, so any rule change that would make other dogs more likely to participate is not a good thing. . . .
Posted by: Tung Yin | July 18, 2004 at 08:58 PM
Hey, or you could check out a local strongman contest, or even compete...
"August 7, 2004: Heartland Strongman Challenge III Council Bluffs Iowa; Contact Joe Secord 402-672-7835 or bulldogstrengthsports@cox.net ONLINE ENTRY FORM at www.nastrongman.com"
Posted by: Jeff Findel | July 19, 2004 at 01:05 PM
As far as I'm concerned, Bill Kazmier is the greatest strength athlete who has ever lived.
Posted by: Jeff Findel | July 19, 2004 at 01:06 PM