july 4th, 2024

We are excited to announce the 2024, 8th Annual US Log Rolling OPEN, will be partnering with 4th of July Festival in Gladstone Mi. 

july 4th, 2024

Checkout videos of past events

july 4th, 2024

Returning in 2024 professional Log rolling & boom Running

july 4th, 2024

THE US LOG ROLLING OPEN STRIVES TO PROVIDE A QUALITY, PROFESSIONAL COMPETITION IN BOTH ORGANIZATION AS WELL AS ON-SITE.  

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HISTORY OF US LOG ROLLING OPEN

Founded in 2016 the inaugural US Log Rolling Open was held in Chicago Southland at Orland Park and featured on Comcast Sports Net. Founder Katie Burke met Chicago Southland CVB Director, Joel Koester, at an event and they started talking about the possibilities and one thing lead to the next to get things rolling. Year two followed in a similar fashion. The U.S. Log Rolling Open was named a 2017 Sports Event to Watch in the January 2017 issue of SportsEvent Magazine.

In 2018 the US Log Rolling Open moved to Upper Michigan and has been there ever since. Upper Michigan has a deep logging history and was a natural home for the event. It is the home to nine-time World Champion, Dan McDonough co-director of the event. Gladstone Michigan was home to the 1926 Log Rolling World Championships. The last time Gladstone hosted log rolling was in 1999 at the 4th of July Celebration. In 2023, professional boom running was added as a second event.

The City of Gladstone is located on the picturesque shores of Little Bay de Noc. Our location offers our residents and visitors numerous year-round activities. Boasting a population of just over 5,000, we have the small town quality and hospitality that the Upper Peninsula is known for. The City offers its own city-owned/operated utilities and campground. For more information about the City click here. For more details about the 4th of July Celebration, click here.

HISTORY OF THE SPORT

In a log rolling competition, opponents step onto a floating log, spin it rapidly, stop or snub it suddenly, and try to reverse the motion of the log in order to send their opposition into the water! When one contestant is off the log, the remaining opponent “takes the fall”. A match is the best of 3 out of 5 falls.

Our logs are West Red Cedar, one of the most buoyant woods, and are lathe turned to specific diameters. Some competitions use carpet covered logs and all competitors wear a tennis or water type show with good traction. Amateur roller including Adult Sport division always roll on carpeted logs. Some competitions have uncarpeted logs for Elite (pro) and Master rollers who wear specially made spiked shoes.

Typically, four logs can be used during a competition. The first (#1) log is 15″ in diameter and has red stripes on it. The time limit on the first log is the time limit for the log. If a winner has not been declared by the end of it, “time” is called, and the competitors move on to the next smaller log.

Competitors are not allowed to touch their opponents or cross the center line during a match.

RUNNING VS BUCKING MATCHES

Watch the roller’s feet! When both competitors are facing the same direction, they are involved in a running match. Each roller is using the same step. This tends to move the log across the water. If the rollers are evenly skilled, a running match tends to take a longer amount of time. You can expect to see a stronger opponent try to stop the log or splash in an attempt to catch their opponent off guard! The judge will stop the match if the rollers come too close to an object that might interfere with rolling or may be dangerous.

When competitors face opposite directions, they are said to be involved in a bucking match. Only one roller can use his/her front step at a time (this is typically a roller’s strongest step). The other competitor is forced to use his/her back step. These matches tend to be a little more exciting and often finish faster than running matches.

A stronger competitor may try to stop the log, turn it the other direction, and force his or her opponent to use a back step. At times you will see rollers use a skip step. This is a valuable step to know, as rollers can change the speed of the log with this step. They may also try to stop the log and then change its direction. Keep an eye out for other tricky moves such as rocking, turns and splashes. We do not allow any of our competitors to chew snuff-but in the olden days, competitors may have tried to distract their opponent by spitting in his/her eyes! To this day, the cheer, “Give ’em snoose!” may be heard at log rolling tournaments.

Photo Gallery

Look through some of the great photos from past years events!

US LOGROLLING OPEN


Join us for the US Logrolling Open

DATE: July 4th, 2024

Location: Van Cleve Park, Gladstone, MI

Tentative Schedule: 11:00-5:00 EST Log Rolling followed by Boom Running

Level 2 Elite Log Rolling on spike logs for competition

Level 3 Elite Boom Running


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