Lumberjack World Championships - Hayward, Wisconsin

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POLE CLIMBERS

Brian Bartow
Brian Bartow from Grants Pass, Oregon is a fierce competitor, having held the 90-foot Speed Climb title in 1999,2000,2004, 2005 and in 2006 when he set a new world record with a time of: 19.87. Once again, Brian took home a first place finish in last year's competition with a time of :21.08. Brian also holds the world record on the 60 foot speed climb with a time of: 12.33, which he set in 2005. Taught to climb by his father, Brian previously won the 60 ft. climbs in 2004-2006. Bartow states that “he was born into this sport” as his father was also a multi-year world champion.

Guy German
German, 51, is a construction contractor from Columbus, Nebraska whose interest in timber sports began when he was vacationing in Sitka, Alaska and saw a local timber sports competition. Captivated by the danger and ruggedness of speed climbing, he then and there decided that this was something he would like to do. Now a 3 Time World Champion in the 90 ft. pole climb (1988, 1990, 2002) he took 4th place at the 2007 Lumberjack World Championships® in the 90 ft. pole climb. Guy is also known in climbing circles as “the man who revolutionized” the toe gaff. With his modifications, times of speed climbers were able to be dramatically increased over those of the past.

Joel Kapp
A Gregory, Michigan native, Kapp at age 27 is an enthusiast who loves to try new things and feels his best events are log rolling and speed climbing. He stays active with his first love of tree trimming in the off season and speed climbs as often as he can with the goal of "each climb to be faster than the last". Evidently this training regimen is paying off, as Joel took home last year a 4th place finish in the 60 ft. speed climb.

Derek Knutson
Knutson, 20, a Hayward native, started his timber sports career working during the summer months for a local lumberjack show. Though relatively new to pro competition, Derek proved he could more than hold his own against such seasoned veterans as Scheer and Bartow at last year's championships, placing third in both the 90 ft. and the 60 ft. climbs. Asked once to describe climbing in 3 words, his reply was "Escape from reality".

Cassidy Scheer
Cassidy, a Hayward native, and son of long time competitor and world champion, Fred Scheer, previously won ESPN’s Great Outdoor Games Superjack Title, a grueling 8 discipline event. Scheer, who has been competing for over 10 years carried over his winning style at the Lumberjack World Championships® in the 60 ft. Speed Climb where he placed 1st with a time of :12.43 and where he also took home second place in the 90 foot Open Climb.