Laois native set to makes history as first Irish competitor at Lumberjack World Championship

Gavin Thompson, a dedicated tree surgeon turned prison officer from Laois, is set to carve his name into the annals of Irish sports history. Thompson will become the first individual to represent Ireland at the prestigious Lumberjack World Championship in Hayward, Wisconsin, from August 1-3  which has been in existence for the last 64 years. He will showcase his skills in the underhand, standing block, and springboard events, competing against the world's elite lumberjacks.

Thompson's journey into lumberjack sports began almost a decade ago. "I always kind of wanted to keep that tie from what I trained in because I'm from an agricultural background," he shared. His curiosity was piqued at a ploughing event, leading him to pursue the sport he now excels in. Despite his professional shift to the prison service during the recession, his passion for timber sports remained unwavering.

Preparing for the championship involves a rigorous regimen. Thompson recently trained with UK champion Glenn Pennington in Wales, fine-tuning his technique and ensuring peak performance. "There’s a lot of gym work. Other times it’s the odd timber sports training camps that come up... It's just a safety thing so you're safe with the axe and the saw," Thompson explained. His individual training occurs primarily in his backyard, where he practices with various tools and techniques required for the competition.

The invitation to the championship came as a surprise to Thompson. Initially skeptical, he quickly realized the opportunity's legitimacy. "When I first got the invite because it was via Facebook, I thought it was a bit of a hoax... you soon find out it isn't a hoax because they're saying all the right things," he recounted. The selection process was rigorous, involving application, competition results, and seeding against other top competitors. Thompson's performance earned him a place among the top 20 lumberjacks heading to Hayward.

Ireland has a small but passionate lumberjack community, with only four active participants, including one woman. Despite the limited pool, Thompson will face competitors from the US, Canada, Czech Republic, Australia, and New Zealand. "I'm going up against the best of the best," he noted with a mix of excitement and determination.

Training for such a high-level competition involves more than physical preparation. Thompson has increased his focus on technique, nutrition, and mental preparation. "It's the fine details that you'd be looking at, the fine details of a technique rather than relying on brute strength," he emphasized. He also consults with personal trainers to optimize his conditioning and strength.

Injuries are an occupational hazard, and Thompson has had his share. "If you see any of the videos that we do, every so often, you’ll tweak the hamstring or shoulder muscle," he mentioned. Additionally, sourcing quality timber for practice poses a significant challenge due to the sport's niche status and high costs of equipment and materials.

Despite these obstacles, Thompson's enthusiasm for lumberjack sports is undiminished. "It's one of those sports at first you can come and have a go but once you get into it, there's a lot of work that goes into doing it. It's very technical," he explained. He appreciates the camaraderie within the small global community of lumberjack athletes, which has taken him to various European locations like Stuttgart and Lillehammer.

The lack of competitions in Ireland remains a significant hurdle, making it difficult to gain publicity and attract new participants. "The biggest thing we struggle with is there's no competitions in Ireland. It's hard for us to put it out there when there's no competitions," Thompson lamented. Insurance issues further complicate organizing demonstrations and events locally.

As Thompson prepares to represent Ireland on the international stage, he extends his gratitude to those who have supported him, particularly the 'Back-a-Jack' foundation. "It's a heck of an experience to go, just to be invited to go and to do it. I just want to say thanks to the 'Back-a-Jack' foundation who have made it possible for me to compete," he expressed.

Thompson's participation in the Lumberjack World Championship is a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. As he stands on the cusp of making history, his journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes in Ireland and beyond.