Horowhenua and Ōtaki Axemen looking forward to great competition at AP&I Show

Diane and Stuart Greig on the saw during the Horowhenua AP&I Show Axemen competition. Photo / Darryl Butler

A popular event at the annual AP&I Show is the woodchopping and sawing.

Run over two days the Horowhenua and Ōtaki Axemen clubs will bring out many other athletes from their sport to Levin to compete.

For many local axemen this sport is a family affair. Di Greig grew up watching her dad chop and saw around the country and her brother started when he was 7 years old, she said.

"Two of my sisters are also involved, our kids have started and my uncle, granddad and his brother were also into the sport.

The Greig family enjoy woodchopping together: Stuart, Shirley, Diane and Peter will again be at the Horowhenua AP&I Show.

"We followed our dad around everywhere and when we were kids there were many more local shows and events where axemen had competitions, such as the Palmerston North Show, Waikanae Sports Day and Wehiwehi Marae Sports Day."

Horowhenua Axemen Club currently has 15 members with Di's mum and dad being life members. The Horowhenua club will run the relay on Sunday at the AP&I Show with teams of six doing Two Ups, then underhands and doublehanded sawing.

Ōtaki Axemen Club organises events during the Saturday.

"It is the biggest show of the year for us," said Katie Rasmussen.

On Saturday competitors will do two underhand, two standing as well as springboard, that is chopping halfway up a tree.

"All up there will be 12 events on Saturday, including double and single sawing."

There will also be an event for boys and girls.

The Ōtaki club is 12 members, half of whom are members of the Rasmussen family.

Katie came into the sport 15 years ago through her husband, whose father was a chopper and for them it is a family affair.

She said the club has no trouble procuring enough wood blocks to use in practice or competitions.

"There are plenty of trees around here that farmers are willing to let us have," she said.

Radiata pine is the preferred tree, but at times they are happy to use poplar.

Stuart Greig chops away at his log at the 2019 Horowhenua AP&I Show.

Di Greig said there is no perfect axeman stature.

"Your main skill is the ability to listen carefully to what others tell you. Axemen and women come is all shapes, sizes and ages. Some are still competing in their 60s and our kids are keen though they are not yet competing."

Competitors are expected from around the country.

"Interested people are more than welcome to come talk to us or attend a training," said Di.

Horowhenua Axemen hold regular trainings and have some novices in their ranks who need a lot of practice as more family members and the younger generations want to get involved.

For more information: talk to the axewomen and men at the show or ring Di at 027 913 1693 or email horowhenuaaxemen@outlook.co.nz. On Facebook search for Horowhenua-Axemens-Club. Ōtaki Axemen Club is also on Facebook.