Chopping champ and shearing winner go head to head

All roads lead to the Puhoi Pub on Saturday, January 10 for the annual axemen’s extravaganza, the Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival.

The country’s finest axe-wielding athletes will once again flock to the iconic event from throughout New Zealand to pit their skills for cash prizes in 16 different categories, from single hand sawing and underhand chop through to springboard, team and Jack and Jill classes.

This year’s event sees a special treat and something a bit different, when world champion Jack Jordan goes head-to-head with another world champ – though not another axeman, but Golden Shears world champion sheep shearer Toa Henderson.

Stihl Timbersports world champ and three times World Trophy winner Jordan will be timed chopping a block, while first-time Golden Shears Open finalist winner Henderson will shear a sheep at the same time to see who finishes first.

“Jack Jordan brings unmatched speed, strength, and precision to every chop,” organisers say. “And Northland’s own Toa Henderson is renowned for his record-breaking speed and flawless technique. Who will finish first – a block chopped or a sheep shorn?”

The chopping-shearing challenge will take place around halfway through the all-day programme, which gets underway at 9am.

This year, spectators aged 12 and over will be charged a $10 entrance fee for the first time to help offset the cost of building the popular raked undercover grandstand seating that was introduced a few years ago.

As well as all the non-stop woodchopping action, there will be all-day food and drink from the pub kitchen and food trucks, plus merchandise stalls, raffles and, once the competition is over, live band Curbside Pubcrawl will take to the stage at around 6.30pm.

The woodchopping carnival is the largest such event on the Northland calendar and is organised by the Puhoi Axemen’s Club, which has been going since 1962, in conjunction with the Puhoi Hotel & Stables.

“Axemen will come from around the country to compete at this major event of the season, so come grab a beer and a bite to eat and watch the show.”

Anyone interested in sponsor packagaes should email thepuhoipublimited@gmail.com, while would-be competitors can email axemenpuhoi@gmail.com to secure a spot.

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Log chopping line-up

1. Graded Underhand
2. Single Hand Saw
3. Graded Standing
4. Novice Underhand
5. Teams race – Puhoi v Visitors
6. Spring Board 3 Board
7. Championship Standing
8. Jack & Jill Sawing
9. Chopping-Shearing Challenge
10. Tree-Top 4
11. Standing Open
12. Underhand Open
13. Double Hand Sawing
14. Championship Underhand
15. Boys Underhand Chop
16. Team Race – Puhoi v Visitors