In the life of a professional lumberjack, being on prime time television isn't something you'd bet the farm on - unless, of course, your name is Wade Stewart.
But as one of the world's most accomplished lumberjacks, Stewart has emerged as one of the sport's most marketable figures. As a nine-year-old boy, he was featured on the popular TV show 'That's Incredible' as the world's youngest lumberjack. And just recently, Stewart had the opportunity of a lifetime to show the world just what Loggers Sports is all about.
On Canada Day this year, Stewart made a special appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, performing in front of a live audience right in front of the famed Ed Sullivan Theatre on 53rd Street in New York City.
"It was a neat experience," said Stewart. "Not many people get a chance to be on Letterman."
During his 14 minutes of airtime on the show, Stewart and another logger showcased several events that comprise Loggers Sports, including log rolling (birling), axe throwing, chopping and tree climbing - which is one of his specialties.
Stewart has been climbing trees since his dad taught him how at the age of four, and he's been getting faster and faster every year, He is currently ranked second in the world in speed climbing, and hopes to overthrow his rival Brian Bartow at the World Championship Speed Climbing event on Sunday at the Al McIntosh Squamish Days Loggers Sports Grounds, although it will be a tough challenge. He is currently the world record holder in the 65-foot tree climb, but Squamish's poles are 15 feet higher.
"I think there's a good chance the 80-foot world record might be beaten,' said Stewart. "Anytime I beat Brian Bartow, he comes back charging so he could beat the record."
Bartow will have his hands full, though, as Stewart has been training all summer long for the championships, and not just in tree climbing.
From May to October, Stewart is the main attraction at the Grouse Mountain Lumberjack Show, performing various lumberjack events three times a day.
"It's really a neat show and a great place to train. I get to climb, chop, birl, throw axes - I get paid to practice," he said.
To keep his competitive edge, Stewart also competes in the ESPN Great Outdoor Games, a televised loggers sports series. He has won a total of 10 medals in the games. He also participates in the IronJack World Championships in Alaska every year. Like the decathlon in track and field, athletes in the IronJack must compete in 10 different loggers sports events. He is a two-time IronJack World Champion, and will be heading to Alaska shortly after the Squamish Days Loggers Sports to defend his title.
He has been coming to Squamish since he was a boy, participating in loggers sports as somewhat of a novelty at first, but growing into one of the most respected athletes on the circuit.
"When I was about four they used to put me into some of the events just for fun," he said. "But when I was eight or nine, I started entering men's competitions because there were no kids events."
He has many fond memories of Squamish Days, many of them involving Loggers Sports legend Al McIntosh.
"It's a real blow to lose him. He was one of the first people to give me the opportunity as a kid,' he said. "He's done a lot to keep the sport growing - it's incredible how much work he's done."
As one of the top athletes in the sport, Stewart has captured the prestigious all-around logger title in two of the past three years, and has plans to keep coming back as long as he can.
"It's an amazing show for such a small town - it's really world class," said Stewart. "It's really quite spectacular."
