Tossing the caber

Yesterday, at the Scottish Highland Games in Paeroa (NZ), we watched the caber tossing. What an amazing event - the caber is a tapered piece of wood, about 6 metres long and weighing about 80 kg. Even balancing and carrying it in the vertical position is a feat, let alone tossing it to land on the broad end and get it to flip over and land at '12 o'clock'. They were talented, determined and strong athletes.

[julia]

Wow quite a skill to get it to land in the right spot ... I beat the people on the side were hoping it would not land at '9 o'clock'... great shot..

[Barb Newcomb]

Great action shot!

[Maggiemae]

This is one out of the box! Who has ever taken a caber in the air! They must have such strong shoulders!

[Issi Bannerman]

Great shot, and I know all about caber tossing, coming from the home of the Highland Gatherings - Braemar! I was interested to learn that the term "caber" derives from the Gaelic word "cabar" - a wooden beam.

[Jenfurj]

Wow. So much strength. Many years ago (1984) I went to the Braemar games in Scotland. I have a similar photo somewhere. :)

[Yao RL]

wow, this is terrifying.

[Margaret Obey]

Before scrolling down I'm thinking, "It's too early for The Royal Highland Games!" It's not too early south of the equator. Bet you had a fabulous day

[Nick]

Cool shot - the men tossing the caber and doing the others games must be so strong. I really enjoyed the Paeroa games and bands last year. Did you get some shots suitable for entering in their photography competition?

[Margo]

Great capture

[Keri]

Great timing. Looks way too much like hard work to me.

[Dianne]

@nickspicsnz I'll send some in, but didn't realise until near the end of the day that there was a competition - otherwise, I'd have put a bit more effort into the images!

[judith deacon]

Timed to perfection! A really strange sport but it must require such immense strength.

[Peter]

Wonderfully timed action shot, in lovely detail Dianne, I agree with you all competitors in the games are talented people:)

[Babs]

Excellent timing and very impressive. We have a Celtic festival here every year and the caber tossing is always very popular.

[PTP: Past their Prime]

Great shot - strange sport!
@snaggy

[Hazel]

That sounds amazing - good timing for the shot too!

[Irene]

They are skilled atheletes! Great shot of this bit of Scotland still going strong in N Z

[Sebastian Gritt]

Well captured, Dianne.

[Pyrrhula]

A great shot of the man. Love those games.

[Lesley Chisholm]

That would be worth watching! I like the way you've caught the Caber

[Rachel]

These guys must be so strong! Great shot.

[Marnie]

Watching the blokes picking up the caber is fascinating isn't it? Goodness knows how they manage to carry it, let along toss the jolly thing.