WHAT ON EARTH IS A CABER, AND HOW DO I TURN IT PERFECTLY?
A caber is a traditional Scottish athletic event that involves tossing a large, tapered pole called a “caber”. The objective of the event is to toss the caber in such a way that it turns end over end and lands as straight as possible in the direction of the thrower. The caber is usually made of wood and can range in length from 16 to 22 feet and in weight from 80 to 150 pounds, depending on the competition level and the strength of the athletes involved. Caber tossing is often considered one of the most iconic and visually impressive events in Scottish highland games.
Turning a perfect caber is a traditional Scottish athletic event that involves flipping a large wooden pole end over end. Here are some techniques that may help with turning a perfect caber:
- Grip: Start by gripping the caber with both hands, one hand on the bottom and the other hand above, with the caber resting on your shoulder.
- Balance: Walk a few steps forward to find your balance and take a few deep breaths to prepare.
- Run: Start running towards the turning area with the caber still on your shoulder.
- Plant: As you reach the turning area, plant your foot firmly and stop your forward momentum.
- Lift: Use your momentum to lift the caber up with both hands, keeping it vertical as you do so.
- Toss: At the right moment, toss the caber forward so that it begins to flip end over end.
- Score: The goal is to have the caber land straight up, with the top end pointing directly away from the thrower. Points are awarded based on the angle of the caber when it lands.
These are some general techniques, but there are many factors that can affect a successful caber toss, such as the weight and length of the caber, the thrower’s strength and technique, and the wind and weather conditions. It takes a lot of practice and skill to turn a perfect caber.