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Spray Tacky May Be Limiting Your Hammer Marks
When it comes to the highland games, there are many ways to skin a cat; so many different events with different techniques, there’s plenty of ways to make a big throw. Yet, in the hammer, what is best when it comes to tacky? That’s right; let’s address, in my mind, a growing concern of mine in the games today. The great debate – spray tacky vs solid tacky.Now, don’t get me wrong, spray tacky has its place in my bag (great for caber), but your very greatest hindrance in the hammers may be the tacky you are using. I’ve been...
My Final Season
When I first started throwing in the Scottish Highland Games, I didn’t account for a lot of things. I had no idea to the amount of hours I would spend throwing in a field. I had no idea how many times I’d run through technique in my mind or mimic throws in my kitchen. I had no idea the sheer rush of adrenaline after a 12:00 throw or a big throw in the last round. This new world of throwing proved to be far more than I dreamed, and the experiences far more vast. When I turned pro in 2007,...
Know Your Legends - Harry MacDonald
In the annals of Canadian Scottish Games history, it will take a lot to beat Harry MacDonald. Winner of 10 National titles (nine of them in a row), old MacDonald had more than a farm - he had big throws! If you're like me, you grew up seeing his bombs on UHA TV coverage on ESPN 2. Harry was duking it out with Vierra, Sandford, Dodge, Brown, and others, on the biggest televised stage our sport has ever seen. Known for big weights for distance, MacDonald still holds the Candian light weight for distance record at 91'3", set in 1996.
Highlanders: The Ultimate Team for the Ultimate Challenge
I can't tell you how shocked I am at the number of people that tuned in to watch The Highlanders tackle the daunting course of Spartan: The Ultimate Team Challenge. There's simply not enough time in a show to share everything about everyone, so I wanted to lay out a few things for you all. In a sense, give you a "post-show" reaction, and hopefully fill in a few holes and further explain things about myself and my team.1. 2010 was a very, very tough year for me and my family. Things were taken a bit out of context, and...
Know Your Legends - Alistair Gunn
Allistair Gunn, the "Giant Killer" was the 1995 World Champion and six time Scottish Champion. His nickname was pretty self-explanatory; while the 5'10" 220 lbs Gunn was no slouch of a human, the average Highland Games Pro is 6'2"-6'4" and around 300 lbs. Allistair, in true Scottish fashion, excelled in the caber; twice being crowned the world caber champion.