Food & Drink

Is the Future of Logrolling at the University of Washington Campus?

Get ready to roll and learn a truly Pacific Northwest sport.

By Stephen Strom July 18, 2017

IMG_5026a

This article originally appeared in the July 2017 issue of Seattle magazine.

Logrolling, a fast-paced balancing act born during the lumber drives of the late 1800s, has been kept alive at logger festivals like Sedro-Woolley’s annual Fourth of July celebration, Loggerodeo and the Morton Loggers’ Jubilee, August 10–13. But its latest incarnation is taking place on college campuses, including at the University of Washington (UW), which is offering logrolling classes as part of its Friday Night Activities program and an intramural logrolling tournament. The new spin on this sport is that it’s being done on synthetic logs made with high-density polyethylene. Ready to roll? UW Aquatics & Safety manager Justin Berry, who was instrumental in launching the UW program, offers these tips.

1. Get Ready. Place the log perpendicular to a dock or pool edge in water at least 2 feet deep and designate a safe area for a “fall zone” (giving at least 10 feet of space around the log).

2. Get Set. Have a buddy hold the log until you gain your balance; feet should be hip-width apart, perpendicular to the length of the log, with knees slightly bent (think “athletic stance,” which you may have learned in soccer or T-ball).

3. Get Balanced. Look at the opposite end of the log; this helps with spatial awareness and enables you to visually track the horizon line with your peripheral vision. Hold your outside arm slightly forward in front of your body and your inside arm slightly back.

4. Get Moving. Roll the log by lifting your feet lightly up and down (think “shuffle step” or “fast feet” drills in other sports). Always keep your feet moving.

 

Follow Us

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World's Best  

Ruby Beach Recognized as One of the World’s Best  

Sparkling red and strewn with sea stacks, Washington's rugged shoreline stands out

Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, a three-and-a-half-hour drive from Seattle, Ruby Beach is known for its towering sea stacks sculpted by centuries of wind and waves, and its thriving tide pools.

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

Whale Watching is Extremely Popular

New study pinpoints visitors, dollars in Washington state

A study for the Pacific Whale Watch Association by Martin Associates finds that whale watching expeditions in Washington state create $119.1 million in economic value and support 1,125 jobs...

You Better Belize It

You Better Belize It

Fly nonstop from Seattle and enjoy the jungle, the sea, and everything else the country has to offer

With its colonial past as British Honduras, Belize is the only English-speaking country in the region. But the blend of European, Central American, Mexican, Spanish, and Caribbean influences doesn’t even begin to describe Belize’s unique potpourri of cultures. The landscape is dotted with numerous Mayan temples, both ready to visit and still under excavation. The

Direct, Connect, Reflect

Direct, Connect, Reflect

It’s easier than ever to reach these sun-splashed sensations from Seattle

Need to escape Seattle this winter? Need some inspiration to pack a carry-on and cash in those miles? Here are four nonstop flights for nonstop escape. In June, Alaska Airlines announced new nonstop service to Nassau, Bahamas, beginning Dec. 15. Board one of these flights at 9 a.m. and land just six hours later. Even…