The sharp thud of an axe hitting timber, the roar of the crowd, and the intense focus of a competitor – these are the hallmarks of woodchopping. For 16-year-old Kallie, this isn’t just a sport; it’s a legacy. Following in the footsteps of her father, grandfather, and even her great-grandfather, Kallie is carving out her own place in a sport traditionally dominated by men. She’s part of a burgeoning movement of women entering the competitive woodchopping arena, determined to prove their mettle and challenge perceptions.
“People have laughed and said, ‘You’re wood chopping? That’s not very lady-like,'” Kallie shared. “But I’m trying to represent the younger girls because it’s a male-dominated sport and I think having a role model really helps.”
Woodchopping has been a part of Kallie’s family for four generations. Her father and grandfather were both competitors, and her great-grandfather’s livelihood involved chopping railway sleepers. Growing up in Tasmania, the very birthplace of competitive woodchopping, Kallie first wielded an axe at the tender age of 14. While her father initially harboured concerns about her safety – “I might take a toe,” she quipped – he was ultimately thrilled when Kallie became the first female in their family to master the craft.
“My dad was so excited because I’ve always been my dad’s son in a way, and now we get to compete together,” Kallie explained. “Competing is what made me fall in love with woodchopping. Just the atmosphere and the crowds. And I love a crowd.” Despite lingering doubts from some about women’s place in the sport, Kallie finds her motivation in the unwavering support she receives. “I’d be walking into a toilet at a show and people would say, ‘Oh, I saw you out there. Don’t give it up,'” she recalled. “Especially the ladies, they really want to see me out there, and that really keeps me going.”
A Growing Field of Competitors
Kallie’s journey reflects a broader trend. Last year, she welcomed two local girls her own age into the sport, and recently faced off against a newcomer in her 40s. “Before them, it was just me and the world champion, Amanda Beams, competing,” Kallie said. “On the log we’re very competitive, then we come off and give hugs and say, ‘You did so well.'”
Amanda Beams, a seasoned competitor at 54, began her woodchopping career as a teenager. However, in her early days, her only option for competition was against men. “When I first started, we’d have six or eight female competitors; now it’s 50 at a comp,” she observed. Beams views this growth as a significant turning point, likening it to a flower bud just beginning to open.
The handicapping system in woodchopping plays a crucial role in levelling the playing field. This system, which assigns advantages or penalties based on past performances, ensures that the competition remains open to all. “That’s the beauty of the handicapping system; it can be anyone’s game,” Kallie stated. Though she admits, “Still, I’ve never beat Amanda.”
The True Victory: Conquering the Log
While a victory over a world champion like Amanda Beams would be a significant achievement, Kallie articulates a deeper philosophy: the ultimate goal in woodchopping is not to defeat an opponent, but to conquer the log itself. “It’s the most rewarding feeling to defeat the log. You’ve gone through it; you did that, no-one else,” she explained.
Kallie is now set to compete interstate for the first time this year, a milestone her great-grandfather could scarcely have imagined. “When I started competing, my pop said to me, ‘My dad would have never believed that a lady in our family would be doing this.’ And I went, ‘Well, you better believe it,'” Kallie recounted with a smile.
New Opportunities and Rising Rewards
The increasing participation of women is catalysing significant changes within the sport. Competitions across Australia are now introducing events that were historically exclusive to men. “Timber sports are about to introduce a new discipline for women — which is the standing block. The springboard is coming too. This whole new world is opening up,” Mrs Beams announced.
Furthermore, the prize money is starting to reflect this shift. “When I first started wood chopping, you were cutting for $250 at a royal show for first prize. Now, the world title at Sydney Show in the women’s underhand is $6,000,” Beams highlighted. This increase, she believes, is a testament to the growing visibility of female competitors and the public’s enthusiastic embrace of the sport.
“The level of competition Australia-wide in the women’s comp is next level,” Beams enthused. “And luckily for us, the public love it. They just love watching women wood chopping and sawing.”
Currently, Beams holds an impressive five world titles in the underhand chop and two Jack and Jill sawing titles, earned alongside her husband and fellow world champion, Dale Beams. As the captain of the Australian women’s woodchopping team, she sees a bright future. “We’re not at the level of the guys, but the competition now is in a really good place,” she concluded. The sound of axes hitting wood is now a chorus, with women’s voices rising in strength and skill.
