Story originally printed in the Holmen Courier or online at www.holmencourier.com
Published - Friday, May 28, 2004
Champion log roller, others will teach classes at Holmen pool on old-time sport
 Connor Enochs of Chicago loses his balance as he tries log rolling under the guidance of instructor Sue Balk in this file photo taken at a log rolling camp at the La Crosse Family YMCA. This summer, the Holmen Aquatic Center will offer log rolling classes for the first time. The first of two sessions of classes starts June 7. Lee Newspapers file photo by Dick Riniker |
Some people think log rolling could be the sport of the future, even though it's one of the oldest sports in America.
This summer, the Holmen Aquatic Center will become one of a growing number of places in the area offering log rolling classes.
In its sixth season, this is the first time the aquatic center is offering log rolling classes. Not only that, a former world champion log roller will be one of the instructors.
Sonya Mahlum, 34, of Holmen, will teach one of the classes this summer.
She's getting back into the sport after being away for six years. She took time off to start her career and raise her two boys.
Mahlum, taught log rolling at the YMCA in La Crosse all through college. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and now teaches physical education at Hintgen Elementary in La Crosse.
Born and raised in Hayward, Wis., Mahlum started log rolling when she was 8 years old. She considered herself a natural.
"Unlike many people, the first time I got on the log, I stayed on for 2 or 3 minutes," Mahlum said.
Mahlum grew up half a mile from the Lumberjack Bowl in Hayward, home of the Lumberjack World Championships.
Growing up in the "log rolling capital of the world," log rolling wasn't just for sport.
"That's what we did for fun, and it was a social thing," Mahlum said.
While Mahlum said it was something many of her friends did for entertainment, it was a way of life for her family.
In the '60s, Mahlum's parents were competitive log rollers. Actually, they were involved in a competition called Trick and Fancy, in which her father held a log in the air while her mother did tricks on it.
Log rolling has been around since the days when logging camps dotted Wisconsin's northwoods.
Back in the days of the logging boom, companies used rivers to transport logs from the camps to the sawmills. Companies hired men whose job it was to prevent the logs from jamming.
These men became an integral part of the logging industry and soon mastered the art of rolling a log. It wasn't long before they made sport of it.
Log rolling has been a competitive sport for more than 100 years.
In 1898, Omaha, Neb., hosted the first World Log Rolling Championships. By 1926, a group formed the International Log Rolling Association and the United States was the first nation member.
But, it has taken awhile to get people to look at log rolling as more than just entertainment.
"The funny thing is, it's been around for so long," said Judy Hoeschler of La Crosse. "It took this long for people to realize that log rolling has legitimacy outside the lumber camp."
Hoeschler has been trying to generate interest in the sport by offering classes throughout the area.
Hoeschler was also born and raised in Hayward. In 1968, at the age of 12, Hoeschler joined one of the country's first log rolling schools in Hayward. She has been active in the sport ever since.
"It's unlike any other sport," Hoeschler said. "It's crazy, but it's really fun."
She started the log rolling program at the La Crosse YMCA when she moved to the area.
The aquatic center's program is an outgrowth of the YMCA program.
"We're going to bring access to people, rather than waiting for people to sign up," said Hoeschler.
The program at the YMCA has turned out several champion log rollers. Hoeschler was a seven-time world champion and her three daughters have followed in her footsteps.
While it might seem hard to stand atop a floating, spinning log, Hoeschler insists it's much easier than it seems.
"The basics of the sport are very simple; two steps forward, two steps back," Hoeschler said. "Then it's just practice.
Even though the aquatic center is offering the class to all ages, Mahlum and Hoeschler agree that it is easier for children to learn than adults.
"It's got a pretty steep learning curve for an athletic endeavor," Hoeschler said. "It's sort of like playing an instrument, it's hard at first, but pretty soon you're playing music."
It may take awhile for log rolling to catch on - like more established sports - but log rolling has grown in popularity since the creation of ESPN's Great Outdoor Games. It is also a part of this summer's Badger State Games in Madison.
For any parents who think standing on a spinning log doesn't look safe, Hoeschler said there's really nothing to worry about.
"It's probably one of the safest sports that kids could get involved in," Hoeschler said. "The worst that can happen is skinned-up shins or a bump on the butt."
While other sports can often be expensive, the equipment list for log rolling is pretty short. All practioners need is two feet of water and a cedar log.
So what draws people to the sport of log rolling?
"It's like a sparring sport, but you never touch your opponent," Hoeschler said. "You get the feeling of a duel, but no one gets hurt."
When she isn't in the pool teaching the sport, Hoeschler travels around teaching the history of the sport.
"I can go to school and teach the history of the United States through this sport," Hoeschler said.
Since log rolling teachers are few and far between, Hoeschler said there are plans to start a teacher certification program.
"There aren't enough log rollers today to do the teaching, so we really have to create them," Hoeschler said.
Back when she started log rolling, Mahlum said Hayward was the only place to do it. Now, it is spreading throughout Wisconsin. Programs also have opened in Minnesota, New Hampshire and Vermont.
"We really respect our roots, there's a great cultural tradition," Hoeschler said. "Log rolling is the only lumberjack sport that has legs to grow on."
AT A GLANCE
Log rolling classes will be offered this summer at the Holmen Aquatic Center on the dates listed below. To sign up, call 526-2152.
Session 1
Class 1: June 7-July 21, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 to 10:55 a.m.
Class 2: June 7-July 21, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 to 7:55 p.m.
Class 3: June 8-July 22, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 10:55 a.m.
n Class 4: June 8-July 22, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7 to 7:55 p.m.
Session 2 (Short session)
Class 5: Aug. 2-18, Mondays and Wednesdays, 10 to 10:55 a.m.
Class 6: Aug. 2-18, Mondays and Wednesdays, 7 to 7:55 p.m.
Class 7: Aug. 3-19, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10 to 10:55 a.m.
Class 8: Aug. 3-19, Tuesday and Thursdays, 7 to 7:55 p.m.
All stories copyright 2006 Holmen Courier and other attributed sources.