The Bowen Island Logger Sports was launched five years ago from sheer stubbornness, determination, thousands of volunteer hours, a passion for plaid, chainsaws and sponsorship dollars that were corralled and collected by the founder Gary Anderson and his dedicated organizing team. The first show confirmed that the general public had a strong appetite to see frontier skills in action, watching men and women compete in traditional logging sports that were devised to simply relieve the tedium of 19th century logging camps.
Fast forward five years and the event has grown from one to two days and is now a fixture on the West Coast logger sport circuit. It attracts not only a fine lineup of local competitors but also those from Squamish, Powell River, Williams Lake, Germany and New Zealand, to come and compete, earn prize money as well as those important lumberjack bragging rights. In addition to the traditional logging sports like pole climbing, crosscut sawing, axe throwing, choker racing and springboard chopping, the organizers have continued to add more and more attractions for the kids so the show has become a truly fun family outing and a great community event.
Like any new venture, initial costs were keenly felt, but over the years as the organizing committee has continued to demonstrate success with increased attendance and sound budgetary management, the Bowen Island Logger Sports expenses are now covered by generous sponsorships and selfless volunteerism which, in turn, has provided exciting opportunities for the committee to give back.
Understanding full well the importance of community support, the Logger Sports committee is delighted to now be in a position to donate to the following organizations and charities; The Bowen Island Health Center Foundation ($5,000) as well as the St. John’s Ambulance service ($1,000) and the children’s charity Variety ($545).
Thank you to all those who attended, competed, sponsored or volunteered. You reached a broader audience than perhaps you even realized. Mark the dates for next year, July 25 and 26, 2020, and support an event that supports the community in turn.
