A Look into the Lumberjack World Championships

In today’s adventure, we’re heading up North to Hayward, Wisconsin, where many great, up-and-coming lumberjacks and jills are born and world-class Lumberjacks and jills compete. Join us for an epic trip to the show of the year–the Lumberjack World Championships. We’re discovering the main event, the athlete’s experience, and unique opportunities at Hayward’s one-of-a-kind showcase. 

The Main Event

The Lumberjack World Championships have been an annual tradition for 63 years and counting. With over 3,000 people in attendance, including the entire community of Hayward and the lumberjack and jill families, everyone gathers together to watch as the competition unfolds.

Their energy is what makes the event so magical for competing lumberjacks and lumberjills. From log rolling to speed pole climbing, there’s competition in all forms. These athletes train every day and compete for the prestigious title and $76,000 in prize money. Supported by the energizing environment, every lumberjack and jill gives it their all.

Even though the competition is mighty and fierce, it makes for endless family fun. Bring your family or friends and plan to watch this upcoming event on August 1 through August 3, 2024. You will undoubtedly be filled with the same anticipation, excitement, and thrill that has kept communities, families, and of course, the lumberjacks and jills coming back each year from across the globe.

An Unmatched Experience

While watching the LumberJack World Championships surely sparks excitement, participating in the event is an unmatched experience for these athletes. Meet Meredith Ingbretson and Sam LaSalle, who are both lumberjill World Competitors. They’re the epitome of a dynamic duo–best friends, training partners, and even Jill and Jill partners.

Meredith and Sam both share that making it to Hayward is an accomplishment in itself. Afterall, these are the World Championships–the best of the best. They describe their experience, which begins at the build up to the event–gathering the wood, and training their hardest. For local Hayward kids, training begins at a young age. Instead of going to traditional soccer camp, they go to log rolling school. 

For Sam, she enjoys the competitiveness, especially participating at the highest level. It not only gives her strength, but also makes her a fighter. But, the time comes each year where she has to compete against Meredith in the log rolling competition. It’s an intense battle between the two, not only for the legs, but also for the mind. They each strive to put forth their best performance with an overarching goal to win. At the end of the day, it’s all about the competition, which fuels their flame to return in the following year.

Unique Opportunities

Meanwhile, Meredith has started to make her way to the other side of the competition, where more unique opportunities arise. From log rolling to the chopping and sawing dock, she recently started participating in newer, yet equally exciting events. 

With every new opportunity there comes a challenge. But for Meredith, that is part of the thrill, learning something new and precise techniques. It’s more than just swinging an ax, there’s a trick of the trade and pattern to follow. 

Whether it’s chopping, ax throwing, or sawing, this entirely new field only adds to the enthusiasm of the event. These opportunities are intended to bring out the excitement and draw out the attention of competing as a lumberjack or jill–no matter where you find your niche. 

–

Hayward, Wisconsin is home to one of the most unique, world-class events on the planet–the Lumberjack World Championships. From learning about the exciting event, the athlete’s experience, and vast opportunities, this is a show you won’t want to miss. 

Get a glimpse of the action that awaits by watch Discover Wisconsin’s original short ‘Love of Lumberjack: 63rd Lumberjack World Championships’ below:

*This article is brought to you with support from Enbridge. 

–

Hailey Rose: Writer for Discover Mediaworks. A born & bred Wisconsinite with a love for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the great outdoors.