HIGHLAND AMATEUR ATHLETICS
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Have you ever tried to balance an upside down broomstick in the palm of your hand? Then tried to flip it into the air so the brush part lands first and the handle falls away from you? If you haven't done this, try it some time. Now imagine doing this with a tapered telephone pole weighing 100 to 130 pounds and measuring 18 to 20 feet long. The caber tosser does this routinely. The task requires coordination, timing, and a strong back. The idea is not to throw the caber for distance, but rather to pitch it end over end so it lands in a straight line (12 o'clock) from where it was thrown. Accuracy is measured by how close to a straight line the caber comes after it is tossed.
Hammer Throw
The hammer is a 16 pound weight set on a handle, less than 50 inches long overall. It can be thrown any way as long as the body is not turned.
Stone Put
Seventeen & 22 pound stones are thrown for distance with one hand only. Any style will do as long as the contestant doesn't step over the foul line.
Weight Throw
The 28 and 56 pound weights thrown for distance are blocks of stone with an iron chain handle. Three throws of each weight are allowed; the longest throw wins. If any part of the body crosses the throwing line, a foul is declared and the throw nullified.
Weight Toss
The 58 pound weight is swung between the knees and tossed over the bar using one hand. Three misses or touches at the same height means elimination. The highest toss wins; the fewest misses at the previous lower height breaks a tie.
Sheaf Toss
The 16 pound sheaf of hay, wrapped in burlap, is tossed by pitchfork over a bar. Three tosses are allowed at each height. Competitors must toss the sheaf over the bar in order to remain in the competition. The bar is raised six inches at a time until all contestants but the winner are eliminated.
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In their original form many centuries ago, Highland games revolved around athletic and sports competitions. Though other activities were always a part of the festivities, many today still consider the Highland athletics to be what the games are all about — in short, that the athletics are the Games, and that all the other activities are just entertainment. Regardless, it remains true today that the athletic competitions are at least an integral part of the events with one, the caber toss, almost becoming the symbol of the Highland games.. While we won't be offering anything but the amateur caber toss for out opening year, here is a list of typical athletic events that happen at a Highland Games...
Caber Toss
Have you ever tried to balance an upside down broomstick in the palm of your hand? Then tried to flip it into the air so the brush part lands first and the handle falls away from you? If you haven't done this, try it some time. Now imagine doing this with a tapered telephone pole weighing 100 to 130 pounds and measuring 18 to 20 feet long. The caber tosser does this routinely. The task requires coordination, timing, and a strong back. The idea is not to throw the caber for distance, but rather to pitch it end over end so it lands in a straight line (12 o'clock) from where it was thrown. Accuracy is measured by how close to a straight line the caber comes after it is tossed.
Hammer Throw
The hammer is a 16 pound weight set on a handle, less than 50 inches long overall. It can be thrown any way as long as the body is not turned.
Stone Put
Seventeen & 22 pound stones are thrown for distance with one hand only. Any style will do as long as the contestant doesn't step over the foul line.
Weight Throw
The 28 and 56 pound weights thrown for distance are blocks of stone with an iron chain handle. Three throws of each weight are allowed; the longest throw wins. If any part of the body crosses the throwing line, a foul is declared and the throw nullified.
Weight Toss
The 58 pound weight is swung between the knees and tossed over the bar using one hand. Three misses or touches at the same height means elimination. The highest toss wins; the fewest misses at the previous lower height breaks a tie.
Sheaf Toss
The 16 pound sheaf of hay, wrapped in burlap, is tossed by pitchfork over a bar. Three tosses are allowed at each height. Competitors must toss the sheaf over the bar in order to remain in the competition. The bar is raised six inches at a time until all contestants but the winner are eliminated.