Where can I toss a caber near the Bay?
August 19, 2011 2:13 PM Subscribe
Where can I learn to be a tosser?
I'd like to learn how to toss a caber like they do at Highland games in Scotland, but I live in the SF Bay Area. I'll be going to the upcoming Caledonia games, but I'd love to make contact with an amateur club that works out locally. Google is failing me.
I'd like to learn how to toss a caber like they do at Highland games in Scotland, but I live in the SF Bay Area. I'll be going to the upcoming Caledonia games, but I'd love to make contact with an amateur club that works out locally. Google is failing me.
My PK-12 school had "Scottish Games" instead of field day. Nothing was really Scottish about it except the chieftains of each clan competed in a caber toss. (And lots of people wore kilts.) When my brother was a clan chieftain, he got really into it. Usually each year there are a few kids who toss total duds and get laughed at. Not only did he not want to have a bad toss, he wanted to win. He started practicing a month in advance.
We looked up proper form online and bought a rounded-edge timber post at the lumber store. Then, he took it to a field and practiced. Just threw it over and over until he was happy with the distance.
He kicked everyone's ass and I think set a school record.
So, anyway, go ahead and look for a local club, but keep in mind that you can do it alone. Might not be as fun by yourself, but you can teach yourself the basics.
posted by phunniemee at 3:37 PM on August 19, 2011
We looked up proper form online and bought a rounded-edge timber post at the lumber store. Then, he took it to a field and practiced. Just threw it over and over until he was happy with the distance.
He kicked everyone's ass and I think set a school record.
So, anyway, go ahead and look for a local club, but keep in mind that you can do it alone. Might not be as fun by yourself, but you can teach yourself the basics.
posted by phunniemee at 3:37 PM on August 19, 2011
East Bay - Pleasanton has its annual Scottish Games coming up in Sept: www.TheScottishGames.com. Mebbeh that site might have some links to local groups.
posted by DandyRandy at 4:50 PM on August 19, 2011
posted by DandyRandy at 4:50 PM on August 19, 2011
I'll level with you: I came in here with an extraordinarily snide remark that you don't deserve. I'll spare us all that sarcasm, but while I don't have much to add about caber tossing you should know that calling somebody a tosser doesn't mean what you think it means.
Whoever told you that's the correct term for a participant in the caber-toss might be pulling your leg.
posted by mhoye at 5:39 PM on August 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Whoever told you that's the correct term for a participant in the caber-toss might be pulling your leg.
posted by mhoye at 5:39 PM on August 19, 2011 [1 favorite]
Best answer: There are these things called puns, see, and some people use them for their comedic value...mhoye, my guess is that the OP knows exactly what "tosser" means. I actually think this is one of the greatest AskMeFi question lead-ins of all time. Vulgar and funny, but technically on point. Well done, wraplan.
posted by phunniemee at 5:45 PM on August 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
posted by phunniemee at 5:45 PM on August 19, 2011 [4 favorites]
There are these things called puns, see,
I like to think of Mefites as being above that sort of thing.
posted by mhoye at 7:48 PM on August 19, 2011
I like to think of Mefites as being above that sort of thing.
posted by mhoye at 7:48 PM on August 19, 2011
When the OP says he's going to the Caledonia games I'm pretty sure he's talking about the games agatha_magatha and DandyRandy mention.
OP, I suggest you email the organizers or some of the other folks on the Caledonian Club's website. I have found them generally very helpful, though some are dicks.
There is also a games in Campbell, CA. Worth checking those out, too.
posted by small_ruminant at 8:47 PM on August 19, 2011
OP, I suggest you email the organizers or some of the other folks on the Caledonian Club's website. I have found them generally very helpful, though some are dicks.
There is also a games in Campbell, CA. Worth checking those out, too.
posted by small_ruminant at 8:47 PM on August 19, 2011
The search term you want is "heavyweight events." Here's a sort of funny article about it I just found via Google.
posted by small_ruminant at 8:52 PM on August 19, 2011
posted by small_ruminant at 8:52 PM on August 19, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by agatha_magatha at 2:55 PM on August 19, 2011