The British Lumberjack Championships took place at APF for the first time. FJ captured the best of the action and found out more about the sport’s rising popularity.

THE great thing about APF 2024 is that there was so much to see and do, whether it was new machines, or – in the case of the British Lumberjack Championships – a twist on the old. 

Replicating forestry practices of years gone by and under the watchful eye of shiny harvesters, forwarders, and timber trailers, the contest saw some of Europe’s best lumberjacks and lumberjills going head-to-head across a variety of disciplines that tested their speed, power, and endurance. 

During all three days, saws were pulled, axes swung, and crowds – many watching timber sports for the first time – oohed, aahed, and gasped, the buzz filtering far beyond the arena. 

“It’s fantastic to compete in this,” said organiser Graham Turner. “It’s a three-day event that we have put on to try and grow the sport in Britain. We have also invited some athletes from Europe to help us show off the sport to arborists, foresters, and people who may have an interest in it.

The Championships recreated forestry practices of old.The Championships recreated forestry practices of old. (Image: FJ/AG)

“Anyone can pick up the sport. You don’t need to be forestry based. There are guys here competing who are joiners, electricians. I’m a fencer. Some are timber hauliers. All walks of life can have a go.” 

In recent years, timber sports have grown in popularity, their presence on the show circuit and social media suitability – who doesn’t want to watch big logs being chopped? – key to that success. And Graham hopes presenting the show at APF will only boost its prominence in the UK. 

A bird’s-eye view of the arena, which was sponsored by Euroforest and Jonathan Cook Forestry Services.A bird’s-eye view of the arena, which was sponsored by Euroforest and Jonathan Cook Forestry Services. (Image: FJ/Jack Haugh)

“In Britain, we have the highest number of female athletes in Europe,” he added. “There are 16 or 17. I have grown the sport in Scotland. I was the first professional timber sports athlete. We now have five.

“It is growing.” 

“There was lots of really good crowd participation with shouting, cheering, and people coming up to us to say how much they enjoyed it,” said Golder Timber Haulage’s Craig Golder, another organiser and competitor. “We are here for chopping and we want to make it a competitors’ event. It’s great to get the feedback from them.”

Athletes competed across several disciplines.Athletes competed across several disciplines. (Image: FJ/AG)

One issue the sport faces is sourcing poplar timber – a popular choice for biomass – in the UK, with Graham also using its APF appearance to appeal for help from the country’s foresters. 

“If there is anyone that might have some poplar or know of a poplar plantation that we could source timber from, that would be amazing,” he said. “So much of it just gets dropped away and we never get the chance of it.”.