We have spent the long weekend in Rotorua, watching our son Jesse at a big woodchopping carnival. Today was really exciting - he was in a World Championship Title final for the tree event. Jesse was the only kiwi to make the final and the other three were from Aussie. He did so well - coming second by two seconds… A pity he missed out on the kudos of a World Title, but he put up a very good fight! You can imagine how proud we felt.
The event requires climbing up one side of the tree using the three boards (with the ends tucked into a small slot in the tree), then chopping half way through the block on the top. The competitor then comes back to the ground, bringing the boards with him and then goes up the other side to stand on the top board and finish cutting the block. The discipline requires good coordination, fitness, agility, a head for heights, strength and determination.
Well done Jesse! A real achievement to be so proud of....you must have been bursting at the seams with pride! I hope you told everyone around you he was your son....I would!
These shots really show his strength and determination..