Had my first practice today...

**eclarkhb** · 30th July 11, 12:52 PM

I'm hooked!

I went out this morning & met with a practice group here in Orange County (THANK YOU ALAN!!!) and got to try my hand at throwing some heavy stuff

I had a great time - here's how I did:

Stones: The Braemar Stone was 22 lbs, I threw it decent, mid 20's I think..not really sure. It felt pretty awkward. Was tough to lock it in on my neck. The smaller one was a little over 16 lbs, I threw it about 33-35 feet. I'm not sure what approach is going to work for me yet on the open stone. I played with several styles, need to keep working on this. I threw shotput in high school (20 years ago) so this event was the most comfortable for me.

Weight For Distance: Really couldn't do anything with the 56 lb weight. The double spin technique was 100% new to me, and I just couldn't keep my balance good enough with the big weight. The smaller weight (28 lb I think?) I did much better with. My double spin still needs lots of work, but I was consistently putting this one around 41-42 feet. Not bad for my 1st day I think. I also think some small adjustments to my technique here are going to add major distance.

Hammer: The guy only had a heavy hammer - 22 lbs. I've never done this before either, but after a while I started getting more consistent & around 40 ft. Lots of room to improve here...I found it pretty difficult. I think working technique with something lighter would help me a ton.

Didn't get to try weight for height or caber today, but overall it was FUN. I'm gonna be sore.

Need to do a lot of technique work. When I used to throw discus we did a lot of technique work holding a traffic cone by the tip to provide a little resistance, but not too much. I think that might work really well for me with weight for distance. If I can get the technique ironed out a bit, then maybe I can compete in October in Ventura in the Novice class...

Overall I'm Pumped & ready to go do it again!

**KiltedDixon** · 30th July 11, 01:10 PM

Glad you had a blast. I started throwing last year. It is addictive.

**o1d_dude** · 31st July 11, 11:34 AM

Cast. Set. Hooked!

Glad you enjoyed your first actual throwing with the Highlanders.

Who knew tossing sticks and stones could be so much fun, right?

**Joshua** · 31st July 11, 01:14 PM

Personally, I'm a single-spin on the 56 and a doublespin on the 28 - but that's just what came naturally to me.

Glad you enjoyed it.

**eclarkhb** · 31st July 11, 07:06 PM

Thanks guys! Yeah I can see how this could be addictive...

My 9-year old daughter & our dog helped me search for stones today so I can practice on my own...

Good Times!

**azwildcat96** · 31st July 11, 07:53 PM

I just started too (about a month ago). The weight for height is my least favorite. And to me, the caber is the most fun. My wife actually started throwing the last two weeks and is planning to compete in November with me and the rest of the group that we're with.

**Mule** · 31st July 11, 08:47 PM

Oh how I wish I could start... Sounds like such fun. I'm recovering from both left shoulder and rt elbow surgery right now. Not far off though.

Oh yeah, pics or it didn't happen

**eclarkhb** · 2nd August 11, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Mule

Oh yeah, pics or it didn't happen

Funny! That's what my wife said when I walked out the door Saturday morning - "Take some pictures!"....She's never seen Highland Games before but she's read lots of Highland Romance Novels....