​Athletes endure the heat to compete at Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games

Despite the excessive heat and humidity, a solid contingent of athletes competed at the Kincardine Scottish Festival and Highland Games, Saturday, July 5.

Held at Robinson Park on Russell Street, just east of the Anglican Church, the event drew a good crowd.

The athletes demonstrated their skills at stone throw, weight for distance, weight over the bar, hammer throw, sheaf toss and caber toss.

For results and further information, check the Canadian Scottish Athletics Federation (CSAF) website at www.csaf.ca/.

HEAVY EVENTS

Stone: A stone is thrown in a style similar to the modern shot-put for maximum distance. The modern track and field shot-put has, in fact, its roots in the heavy events.
 
Weights: These weights are metal with a chain and ring handle. The total weight is 28 pounds and 56 pounds with the overall length of each implement being 18 inches. The athlete has a nine-foot run-up and must throw the weight with one hand. The object is to throw the weight as far as possible. In a separate event, the 56-pound weight is thrown for height.
 
Hammer: The hammer head is metal, and the shaft is wood (rattan or bamboo), or plastic (PVC pipe is sometimes used for increased durability). The total weight of each hammer is 16 pounds (light) and 22 pounds (heavy). The length of the hammer can be no longer than 50 inches in overall length. The hammer must be thrown, with the feet in a fixed position, but a competitor may move his feet after the hammer is released.
 
Caber: There is no standard size or weight of a caber but the caber is wood and typically of a length and weight so half the competitors can turn it. The caber is ‘stood-up’ for the athlete, with the heavy end on top. The attempt begins when the caber is lifted from the ground. The thrower may take any length of run he wishes and may toss the caber from where he chooses, but the caber must pass through the vertical position in order to count as a turned caber. The "clock face” method of judging is used, as opposed to distance, such that a perfect toss will flip over and land with the small end pointing directly at 12 o'clock away from the competitor.