Boom Running 101

Boom Running : a sport in which the competitor must run across a string of logs attached end to end in the water. The object is to run across the log boom, around an obstacle, and back faster then your opponent(s).

 

The History

Boom Running is another sport that originated from the work of the old time lumberjacks. Log booms were used to sort logs after they had been driven down the rivers to the sawmills. Each logging company had their own brand, or stamp on the end of their logs so as to distinguish it from everyone else. (Logs were many times mixed together in the larger rivers as they made their way down to the sawmills). Once at the mill pond, the logs were sorted according to brand. In order to keep them separate from each other large booms were made. A log boom was a string of logs attached end to end in a circle, or across a river. They did a sufficient job of keeping them separate. Once in a while however, a boom would break, and would threaten to mix together the logs and/or let the logs drift freely. Someone would have to run across the boom and fix it before this could happen. At the end of the river drives, and once all the timber had been cut, the lumberjacks would have contests to determine who had the best lumberjack skills, including boom running. And so the sport of boom running was born.

Boom Composition

The 2001 Great Outdoor Games Booms
Click to enlarge

Log booms are made of a string of logs floating in the water connected end to end in a curved or straight line Booms today are generally consistent from contest.

Boom specifics:

• 6 to 12 logs, though more or less is not unheard of or unnecessary.
• logs are anywhere from 14 to 8 feet in length
• diameters are usually from 12 to 20 inches
• logs are in raw form (but debarked), and not lathe turned
• connected by rope (not chain), for safety
• usually strung in a straight line, although curved or circular booms are not uncommon

Today's Boom Run

Todays boom run has not changed much from the old time booms. The logs are still are still strung from one point to another, with the competitor having to run across and back. One major difference now compared to yesteryear is the size of the logs. The old booms had long, large logs, many times 16 feet long and at least a couple of feet in diameter. Today's booms have much smaller and shorter logs. Logs nowadays are under 14 feet, and are sometimes only 12 inches in diameter, making quick feet and good skills a requirement of all boom runners.

Boom Hazards

There are quite a few obvious hazards to boom running. Falling and landing on the logs while running is the common hazard. Falling and landing between the logs on the connecting rope is of a lesser concern, but is still a hazard. Jumping for and missing the finishing or opposing dock has been an issue in recent years, with several competitors reporting minor injuries.

Minor injuries are fairly common. Serious injury or death has never been reported. Bruises are pretty much expected by all boom runners, and a high pain tolerance is necessary. Various competitors have reported many muscles bruises, scabbed shins, sprained ankles, pulled muscles, groin injuries, even bruised and broken ribs. But, all competitors know it's the price you have to pay to become number one.

Running the Boom

There are a number of different techniques currently used. But, not matter who you are listening to, the ultimate goal is the same : get across and back faster than your opponent. There are a number of skills that each boom runner must employ to be successful. The first and foremost being quick feet.

Training

One of the hardest aspects about training for the boom run is actually finding a suitable boom to practice on. One of the most popular, and one of the only suitable booms in the United States is in Hayward, Wisconsin, at Lumberjack Bowl. It is a length of 9 logs, stretched between two docks. The water depth is never over 5 feet, making it a fair boom for everyone. So, how do you train for the boom? Well, before you start training, you need to learn the basics.

How Hard Should a Boom Be?

This is probably the most debated subject in the sport of boom running. How hard should the boom be? How many people should be able to make it? Who should be able to make it? Should it be a fast easy, boom, or a slow, hard boom? The difficulty level of a boom should be hard, but not so hard that it is dangerous, and impassible to most competitors. If 90% of the competitors make it without falling, it is too easy, and is simply a test of speed. If a competitor can sprint the entire boom without falling in, it is too easy. Boom running is a test of skill, speed, and agility, not just who can run the fastest. Then again, if 95% of the competitors do not make it, then it is probably too hard. It is an intricate balance that takes time to figure out. There are also a lot of outside variables that cannot be controlled, and must simply be left up to chance. The strength of the competitors in the contest (a direct result of the lure a contest has to the stronger competitors), weather during competiton (wind and rain mostly), a well as other more minor factors. A boom is something that only the toughest, and most skilled competitors should be able to do, not anyone off the street.

Corresponding Information

• Building Your Own Boom 101