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Caber
tossing to be part of Anthem Days
Athletes throw their weight around at Highland Games
by
Chris Moore
ANTHEM - One of the things that's new to Anthem Days this
year is something very old.
Centuries old, and from far across the sea. It's the Scottish
Highland Games, the extreme ancient sport where competitors
really get a chance to throw their weight around.
Anthem residents Al and Joyce Kessel are organizing the Scottish
Highland Games at Anthem Days. Joyce is athletic director
for the event and Al, who is Scottish on his mother's side,
is competing in the games, which he has been doing in various
states including Colorado,
California and Arizona for about five years.
"I approached the Anthem Community Center," Joyce
Kessel said, "with the idea of the Highland Games at
Anthem Days." Scottish Highland Games are held around
the state throughout the year beginning in February with the
state's largest event at Mesa Community College. Camp Verde,
Prescott, Flagstaff and Tucson also have games every year,
but through the Kessels' efforts this is the first year the
games will be held
in Anthem.
"I
think they started back in the 1600s," Joyce Kessel said.
"The games derived from preparing soldiers for war. It
was strength training. But it's not just a test of strength-you
have to have the technique to back it up."
And hike it up as well! The required attire for the games
is the traditional Scottish kilt. The 19 men and one women
competing in the Highland Games at Anthem Days will be wearing
them along with kilt hose (socks) and "flashes"(sock
bands that match the kilts). |
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Competition
will be in three classes and medals will be given for the first
three finishers in each class. Trophies for the best overall performance
in each class, based on a cumulative score of all events, will also
be awarded The Scottish Highland Games are made up of eight events,
two of which come under the heading of "Putting the Stone,"
called Open Stone and the Braemar Stone. Both involve "putting"
(throwing with an overhand pushing motion) a stone weighing between
16 and 26 pounds, with a variation in the approach.
The "Throwing the Weights for Distance" competitions involve
throwing metal weights of 28 and 56 pounds (two separate events).
These weights have handles, either attached directly to the weight
or on a chain. "Throwing the Hammers" also is split into
two events corresponding to the weights of the hammers (16 and 22
pounds), which have spherical metal heads and wood or plastic handles.
The thrower performs the task with the feet in a fixed position-no
approach is allowed.
"Tossing the Weight for Height" is also known as "Weight
Over the Bar" because the contestants attempt to throw weights
(28 and 56 pounds) up and over horizontal crossbars and are judged
not necessarily by the distance thrown but by the height of the
bar cleared, similar to the track and field event of high jump.
The most popular event in the Scottish Highland Games, according
to Joyce Kessel, is "Tossing the Caber," which involves
a wooden telephone pole like "caber," which is usually
16 to 21 feet in length and between 85 and 125 pounds. Competitors
must hold the caber upright, run with it and then heave the pole
in an attempt to flip or "turn" it over in the air. Multiple
scorers are used to judge the event and each athlete is allowed
three attempts, all of which are scored, with the best toss used
to determine placing.
Unfortunately, there will be no Scottish dancers or pipers performing
with the Highland Games at Anthem Days this year, but that shouldn't
stop anyone from coming out and taking in the thrills of this extreme
sport that combines some hard work, a lot of fun and a wee bit of
history.
Anthem Days takes place April 8 and 9 at Anthem Community Park,
41703 N. Gavilan Peak Parkway in Anthem. The Scottish Highland Games
will be held on April 8 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Other athletic events
include a three on three basketball tournament, 5k run and a putting
competition. For more information call (623) 879 3044. |
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