The woodchopping events at local shows always prove to be a crowd-pleaser, and that was certainly the case at the Yass Show last weekend, which took place across March 23 and March 24.
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Having begun at 11.00am on Sunday, there were seven woodchopping events in total at the show, and the 250mm Junior Underhand division saw Darcy Wiseman claim his first win in the sport.
The 15-year-old is a member of the South Coast Axeman's Association, and has been competing in woodchopping for a few years alongside his father, Andrew.
Both Andrew and Darcy competed in Yass, and the pair competed in the relay together, which made the youngster's first win even more special.
Andrew has competed in the sport since before his son was born, and he was pleased with the Yass event, particularly so once the rain stopped.
"[There was] good wood, it's stopped raining, getting first is always a plus," Andrew said in summary of his experience at the show.
With so many years under his belt and a son who is making his own way in the sport, many might expect Andrew to lay down his axe, but the veteran said that he still has some logs left to chop.
"[It's] not really about where I place, it's about getting through it," he said.
Darcy was not the only first-time winner on the day, as Goulburn's Brian Rawlinson also took out the 275mm Novice Underhand competition.
Although Rawlinson has been interested in the sport for a long time, he only began competing in December last year and has spent his time practicing on his Goulburn property.
"Wish I'd found [the sport] when I was younger," Rawlinson said.
He said that what drew him to woodchopping was not just the visceral pleasure gained by chopping wood, but the understated subtleties of the sport which are much more difficult to master.
"I like how it's not just about strength, there's a lot of accuracy and finesse involved," he said.
"[I] didn't realise just how critical it was."
Although this is his first win, Rawlinson's form has been ominously improving for some time in the few months he has competed.
He previously chopped wood at the Moss Vale Show and the Crookwell Show, where he claimed third and second place respectively.
Now, with his first place prize in Yass, Rawlinson said "I've got the trifecta."
The woodchopping was one of many popular sporting events at the show which drew strong support from the local crowds.
