Athletic competition will include the following events:
click the YouTube links to learn more about the athletic events.
What are Highland Games Athletic Events? (YouTube)
1. Open Stone -- A stone weighing 16-22 lb. for the men and 8-12 for women thrown for distance.
How to throw the stone. (YouTube)
Open Stone event examples. (YouTube)
2. Heavy Weight Throw -- An implement weighing 56 pounds (42 for masters, and 28 for women) thrown with one hand for distance.
How to throw the heavy weight. (YouTube)
Heavy Weight Throw event examples. (YouTube)
3. Light Weight Throw -- is thrown the same as the heavy weight throw except the weight is lighter. The weight is 28 for men and 14 for women.
4. Scottish Hammer Throw -- The hammer is spherical shaped and made of metal, The professional and amateur athletes will throw the heavy hammer which is 22 lbs., master 16 lbs and women 12 lbs.
How to throw a hammer. (YouTube)
Hammer Throw event examples. (YouTube)
5. Tossing the Caber -- This is a tree that has been selected based on the level of competition. They can range in size from 17 to 21 feet and usually 70 to 160 lbs. It’s more difficult to turn a 21 ft., 70 lb. caber than a 17 ft., 160 lb. one. With the caber standing vertically, the thrower picks up the caber by the smaller end in their hands. The athlete then commences to attempt a throw usually running forward and tossing it in a manner that it turns end over end with the upper (larger) end striking the ground and then the smaller end (originally held by athlete) following through and in turn striking the ground in the 12 o’clock position measured relative to the direction of the throw. If successful, the athlete is said to have turned the caber, thus “turning of the caber”. Competitors are judged on how closely their throws can land in a perfect 12 o’clock position (on an imaginary clock). If the caber cannot be turned then the side judge will make the call in degrees on how far the caber rotates upward.
How to toss a caber. (YouTube)
Caber Toss event example. (YouTube)
6. Sheaf Toss -- A bundle of twine (sheaf) weighing 16 lbs for men and 12 lbs for women is wrapped in a burlap bag and is tossed vertically with a pitchfork (2 or 3 tines) over a raised bar. Each athlete is allowed (3) attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. Outcome of competition is determined by the highest successful height tossed with fewest misses possibly used to break tie scores.
How to toss a sheaf. (YouTube)
Sheaf Toss event examples. (YouTube)
7. Weight Over Bar -- Also known as weight for height. The athletes attempt to toss a 56 lb weight with an attached handle over a horizontal bar using one hand. For master’s the weight is 42 lbs and women 28 lbs Each athlete is allowed three attempts at each height. Successful clearance of the height allows the athlete to advance into the next round at a greater height. Outcome of competition is determined by the highest successful toss with fewest misses possibly being used to break tie scores.
All athletic events are conducted by the Southeastern Highland Athletics Group.
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