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Puhoi Axeman Bevan Gubb, from Wellsford, has been busy with his axes and is hoping to bring his best when he competes at the Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival this year.
This season he has competed in events as far away as Gisborne and has stepped up into the A division.
“In the past, I’ve always been in the B division at Puhoi and other events, but I want to take things up a level. Now I’m chopping with the A graders,” he says.
“It hasn’t been easy, and I’m finishing last at the moment, but I’m definitely improving every time I compete.”
Gubb started woodchopping in 2008 but has since had a major setback that means he still feels he’s not at his best.
“I did some chopping as a kid in the Wellsford Show and then picked up my Dad’s axe after he passed away in 2008. In 2010, I was involved in a car crash and that meant I couldn’t chop for a couple years so that’s slowed my progress.”
Over that period, he remained involved with the Puhoi event as a helper and hopes to compete in Australia in future.
“I’ve got a long way to go before I’m at the required standard to do that, but I’m keen to get over to Sydney or Adelaide for a chopping event.”
He says achieving a high degree of accuracy is the toughest part of the sport.
“Every block of wood is different. so you have to adapt to get the best cut with each one, which isn’t easy.”
