Most people would be deterred by the prospect of standing on top of a log while swinging an axe into it.
But not Beth Parker, from the moment that she saw the extreme sport of Stihl timber (a form of wood chopping competition) she was hooked. The mum-of-four had taken up chainsaw carving as a hobby when she became aware of the sport.
However, training was only based in rural areas, and after enquiring if she could take part was told there were no competitions for women to compete in. This did not deter Beth, who after attending a training camp, started practicing in her back garden.
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Beth from Southport said: "There was a total lack of women's competitions and nothing to really aim towards but I knew it was something I wanted to do. It was rewarding and satisfying to learn a new skill, to be able to run a chainsaw or handle the big six-foot single saws.
“It is just sheer perseverance that I have been able to work my way into a community that does not always understand what it is like to be on the outside. It is so different and not growing up in the countryside puts you at a disadvantage."
Eventually, Beth along with eight other women were invited to take part in the first-ever British Women’s Stihl Timber Sports Championship last year, placing fourth.
She said: “It was so exciting for me because I did not even think I would get that and to be with all those other women, it felt like we were taking part in something that could become a really great thing.
“I feel like I’m on the back foot with it because a lot of the other women, their dad coaches them, their husband is a woodchopper, they have it in the family so I am taking the long route round."
The women's Stihl timber sports has three disciplines: the Single Buck, involves a two meter long manual crosscut saw that is used to cut a single cookie from a 40cm log. The Underhand Chop, where athletes stand on a 27cm log and chop through it between their feet, and the Stock Saw where athletes must cut two discs or ‘cookies’ from a 40cm log.
Beth told ECHO said: “I have seen people have accidents when they are not wearing the chainmail but you have to respect the equipment. Everything is done safely, the most dangerous thing you might do is slip off a log with an axe in your hand when the conditions are not great but you need to learn how to fall gracefully.”
Beth, 40, runs the Valhalla Training Academy in Maghull with her partner Lloyd and said that she will be going back to the championships this year and hopes to take a podium spot.
When asked what she would say to women looking to get into the sport said: “Don’t hesitate to ask and enquire about coming along, look for competitions close to you, and give it a go.
“It is a really supportive community and the men want more women to get into wood chopping. Every other country has a good section of lumberjills as part of every competition and that is what we need as well. It is great for your fitness and confidence so I would always encourage women to get involved.”
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