When Ryan Cameron isn’t managing our Woodlands Division operations in Nova Scotia, you can find him being a head judge of Lumberjack competitions. In a normal year, over 150 competitors take part, coming from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Maine, Ontario and Quebec!

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, all the competitions were cancelled this fall. However, 16 participants who would typically be on the Dalhousie woodsmen team, decided to hold a local show to give their teams the opportunity to compete. Irving Woodlands donated wood to the Dalhousie team this year for them to use during practice.

Generally, there are four shows a year that include  the University of New Brunswick, McGill University, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, Maritime College of Forest Technology, Algonquin College and Fleming College. They all compete in various logging sport events- a traditions that goes back generations - chopping and sawing, log decking, pulp tossing, and axe throwing to name a few.

“I competed in this league when I was at the University of New Brunswick”, says Ryan Cameron. “It’s a blast competing with your team and traveling across the Maritimes. Also gives a glimpse into the older days of forestry work, using axes and saws in various events. I had the opportunity to be head judge of the league 2 years ago.”

Many of our Irving Woodlands employees have competed in this league over the years, mostly for the UNB Woodsmen team. This team is a student-run organization consisting of men and women from any academic program at UNB. The team participates in traditional lumberjacking events at competitive intercollegiate competitions.