Lumberjills shine at World Lumberjack Championship in Hayward

HAYWARD - A century old tradition lives on in Hayward as people from around the globe gather for the World Championship Lumberjack Competition.

Sweat streams down faces, axes hack away at thick logs, and the roar of motorcycle and snowmobile powered saws filled the air at the 51st annual lumberjack championship.

Hayward is carving out brawny, rustic, and rugged champions at the very sight where the town was carved from the logging industry more than a century ago. “This is all about those guys that started in the forest, took all those skills, those work day skills, and started to make in a competition,” said executive director Diane McNamer.

Nearly 12,000 fans are expected to watch 170 of the most talented lumberjacks on earth demolish logs over three days of competition.

54 year old Sheree Taylor of New Zealand is one of less than 150 'lumberjills' in the world. Women, who are at least 30 years younger than Taylor, didn't stand a chance against the former champion. “It's competition against the younger ones that keeps me going,” said Taylor.

It takes hours of time, hard work, practice, and perseverance, but the best feeling of all, is the adrenaline. “You always got the jitters, once you get into it the adrenaline gets you going. You just fire right through the block,” said Milwaukee Lumberjack Jeff Schaut.

Cecil Starr of Ontario Canada also blew away his competition. “Some times adrenaline will kill you. It can be your worst enemy. You need some adrenaline to get at it aggressively,” said Starr.

The event preserves Hayward's roots as a lumber town in the 1800's and aims to break records yielding some the world's greatest lumberjacks. “Re–connect with our roots, remember to see it, and marvel at the skill, the agility and the endurance of all these great athletes,” said McNamer.

The competition continues Sunday July 25th, from 1:00 and 4:00 P.M.