Kamryn Findlay is chopping down stereotypes (6 photos)
Posted Dec 26, 2018 03:20:00 PM.
This article is more than 5 years old.
When Kamryn Findlay isn't studying for her Master's or working in the Dalhousie University student recruitment centre, you can find her practicing her axe throws and her wood chops.
Findlay, a 24-year-old from Springhill, competes in the in the Stihl Timbersports Series and on the Maritime Lumberjack Association circuit, the professional division for lumberjacking.
Yes, lumberjacking. The rather unusual sport involves a variety of chopping, sawing, axe throwing, and chainsawing events.
“I definitely describe it as a sport, it's just as much dedication, training, skills and time and effort as any other professional level sport,” she said in an interview with HalifaxToday.ca.
Findlay found her passion for lumberjacking while in the 4-H Woodsman program, a youth lumberjacking team.
She went on to play five years of varsity lumberjacking for Dalhousie's Agricultural Campus.
The Truro campus is home to a large group of lumberjacks, with two men's teams and two women's teams.
Findlay also volunteers with 4-H—a non-profit youth leadership organization—with the Woodsman group.
She's since turned pro, and competes in the Maritimes, across Canada, and in the New England states.
“I definitely think that when people think of a lumberjack… you picture a big, burly man. Plaid, beard, toque on, suspenders. So kind of breaking that image of what a stereotypical lumberjack is.”
“What I've been really thankful for is having mentors and coaches who saw my potential and were able to help guide me and support me,” she said.
It's not a cheap sport to get into either, she explains. Competition axes can range from $400 to $1000, and competition box saws range from $1,500 to $3,000.
Findlay says she's lucky to have had such a supportive team of mentors and coaches who loaned her equipment while she was bridging the gap between the varsity and professional leagues.
Findlay's favourite event to compete in is something called the standing block chop, typically a male dominated event. Since not a lot of women participate, she often performs in the men's heat.
She also does a lot of axe-throwing, and competed and placed in the national championships this year.
“I think more women are becoming recognized and participating in this sport. Any time there is a lumberjack event going on…I really want to be there advocating for women participating in male dominated sports,” she said.
“Just getting out and talking about what I do, I think really shines a light on women athletes in this type of sport.”
She encourages the youth that she works with, and incoming university students, to get involved in outdoor activities and to try new things.
“I was not born athletically inclined. I always enjoyed participating in sports and soccer growing up, but was never really good at them, so I think it took me many years to kind of find my niche,” she said.
The sport is very inclusive, she says, and welcomed her with open arms.
“It's not just for super athletic people. It's based on your endurance but also your ability to recognize the skills and technique that you need to work on.”
Alongside competing, Findlay is conducing valuable research into the striped bass population in the Bay of Fundy, where she is studying the unique coastal habitat of the declining fish population.
