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Sweltering temperatures failed to deter a large crowd at the annual Puhoi Woodchopping Carnival in the grounds of the Puhoi Historic pub on January 12.
Puhoi Axemen’s Club secretary John Sanderson says every part of the day went well, but the standout event for him and visiting axemen was the Boys Underhand event featuring nine of the youngest competitors aged from 13 to 15.
“It was good to see because they are the future of our sport,” Sanderson says.
The winner of the boy’s event was Kadyn Underwood, 15, of Ahuroa, but his winning ways did not stop there.
Underwood also competed against adults in the Novice Underhand and E Grade Underhand and came first in both events.
Spectators were also able to witness extremely fast chopping times, despite the heat, notably in the double sawing event.
Another major crowd-pleaser was the traditional team event where seven Puhoi axemen took on a combined team of visitors.
The relay event alternates between underhand and standing chopping.
For a few anxious seconds, it looked as though Puhoi was going to lose it until Bevan Gubb, of Wellsford, picked up the pace for Puhoi, made up lost time and clinched a win for the home side.
It was another triumph for Gubb who recently moved up from chopping in B division to A division.
About 45 competitors took part in the carnival with many already indicating that they want to return next year.
“I think we have a winning formula here with the way our programme runs, good wood and lots of sponsorship from local businesses and support from individuals,” Sanderson says.
“I don’t see any need for changes at this stage,” he says.
First place winners at Puhoi:
Underhand E Grade (K Underwood), Underhand D Grade (G Irwin), Underhand C Grade (S Semenoff), Underhand B Grade (K McDonnell), Underhand A Grade (C Lord)
Single Saw (C Hastie), Standing D Grade (R Brown), Standing C Grade (B Turnwald), Standing B Grade (B Gubb), Standing A Grade (C Lord), Championship
Standing (J Whitehead), Axethrow (J Whitehead), Novice Underhand (K Underwood), Standing Open (L Trow), Underhand Open (J Semenoff),
Championship Underhand (J Jordan), Double Saw (J Whitehead & N McDonald)
