I'm giving it a go

[HeathBar]

I will be competing in the highland games for the first time in two weeks at the North Alabama Highland Games. I've talked about doing it for a couple of years, so its time to put up or shut up. I've made two throwing implements, a 30lbs throwing weight and a 20lbs hammer. I used 5lb and 7.5 lb weights from Play-it-again-sports to build them. Yesterday was the first chance I've had to throw them. I tried the WFD and the WOB maneuvers and the hammer toss. Hammer and WOB were not as difficult as the WFD. But I guess anyone who's done it knows that. I've read and re-read the posts on here and spent a lot of time on the NASGA forum. I've also spent time on Craig Smith's site and watching stuff on youtube. Xmarker beowulf67 is going to be a judge in my class, so I feel comfortable knowing he will be there with help.

I hope to walk away with two things. 1. Do not injure myself and 2. Hook up with someone close to me to practice with.

A turn on the caber, would just be icing on the cake. But I'd be happy just to pick it.

Any advice you can offer a first timer would be appriciated. Now I need to work on my hook grip.

[Alan H]

My advice is to have a freaking
BLAST out there. Once you do it's "welcome to the addiction"!

[HeathBar]

I plan on it. I'll be the one doing double fist pumps on a 10ft throw. I know that distance will come with time and practice. So anything in front of the trig will be good.

[RamsayClanCommish]

I joined in the games here the last few years and came second in the weight for height toss. My advice? Ben Gay! My shoulder hurt for a month after! Also, yell the name of your clan when you toss or pitch the caber. It may not help you win, but it pumps you up a bit..lol.

I too tried the caber toss. This may come as a surprise..but it isn't as easy as it looks...lol. I was pleased to actually pick it. I didn't make it turn though. But I was just happy I didn't drop it behind me or fall on my ****.

Still, it was FUN. It connects you to your heritage and you aren't really in a competition as the atheletes I was with were all about cheering for each other. Being an amatuer, they joked with me and gave me advice..and that is the best tip..don't be afraid to ask the lads and lasses for advice...they are good sports who just want to see the games grow.

[KidKidneys]

yell the name of your clan when you toss or pitch the caber. It may not help you win, but it pumps you up a bit..lol.

thats the confusing part for me, in regards to shouting any names or even wearing the proper kilt..... I have a direct lineage going back to the Duffs. but my actual last name would be a derivation of Menzies, but nobody has explored this lineage yet

[jgorley]

Don't focus on what to yell. It will just trip you up. You will develop your own yell or shout when you put your all into a throw. If you ever see me throw, I yell till the caber gets scared and just falls away from me!

Watch a ton of video and take a ton of video of yourself and compare the two. Try to only watch Youtube of the pros. That way you don't try to copy any bad habits.

James

[Alan H]

thats the confusing part for me, in regards to shouting any names or even wearing the proper kilt..... I have a direct lineage going back to the Duffs. but my actual last name would be a derivation of Menzies, but nobody has explored this lineage yet

Um... wear ANY kilt. It's gonna get sweaty, dirty and sticky. Get an inexpensive kilt for throwing.

And for heavens sake, why on EARTH are you worrying about what, exactly to shout just as you release some heavy object? You've got to be kidding, right? Just BELLOW. You're not going for proper pronunciation, you know?

[Detroitpete]

Welcome!! You are SOOOO gonna know you made the right decision. The second after you finish the first toss--you're hooked.

Oh, and by the way...

When tossing a caber, this 44 year old, 185 pounder with mileage to boot...usually screams something akin to "sonofab...."

No worries--seriously--don't worry about a darn thing--jump on in and give 'er a go. Once you decide you want to keep doing this, then start working on technique etc.

[HeathBar]

I'm back from my first competition. I 've a nasty bruise on my collar bone from a knotty caber. I've got ice on it now. I don't know if my wife got any pics worth showing. She didn't leave the shade. Oh yeah, it was around 97 degrees today.

Now that I've got my first one under my belt, I've got some goals to shoot for. And I don't care who you are 56lbs is HEAVY!

[Alan H]

I'm back from my first competition. And I don't care who you are 56lbs is HEAVY!

Ah, the ONE big advantage to being OLD!! ( we throw 42)

So did you have a good time?