GENERAL:

Entries:
All competitors must be members in good standing of the SAWA with dues and entry fees paid.  Entries for all contests must be received at least two weeks prior to the contest date, to allow for wood procurement, assignment of heats and handicapping.  No competitor may enter any event more than once.

Contest Set-up:
All competitors are required to arrive at the competition site at least three hours prior to the scheduled start of the events to assist with set-up of the site.  All chopping blocks should be set up and ready to chop prior to the scheduled start time for the contest, and all competitors and their equipment should be ready at that time.  Throughout the day all competitors are expected to assist with maintaining the contest site in a neat and professional appearance.  Following each event all wood chips and remaining wood should be removed by the competitors to a central location as determined by the event management.

Professional Appearance and Sportsmanship:
All competitors should be neat and clean in appearance at the start of the contest. A professional demeanor should be maintained throughout the contest and good sportsmanship should be demonstrated at all times.  Use of offensive language and gestures will not be tolerated.  All competitors should be prepared for their events when their name is called and should avoid holding up the contest at any time.  Violators of the sportsmanship rule may be ejected from the contest and may be subject to suspension from future contests.

Supervision:
Novice competitors and those under the age of 16 years should compete under the supervision of an accomplished axeman.  Those under 18 must have a parent present as well, during all competitions.

Safety:
It is required that all competitors wear shin and toe guards during the chopping events and that all axes be pinned.  Neither axes nor saws should be carried near the spectators, or around other competitors, without appropriate covering.  The consumption of any alcoholic beverage prior to the end of the contest is strictly prohibited.

Dress Code:
To increase the professional appearance of the contests it is recommended that long pants and not shorts be worn when competing.  These pants should be a solid color such as black or white (not denim colored blue jeans or sweat pants).  Black pants have become traditional in the US, while competitors in Australia and New Zealand are required to wear solid white pants.  All competitors should also wear a shirt or singlet (tank) when competing.

CHOPPING RULES:

Heats and Handicaps:
All chopping events will be handicapped.  Competitors will be assigned handicaps prior to the start of the contest and will keep those handicaps throughout the contest.  Handicaps should be expected to change regularly based on the competitor's performance at previous contests.  Placing in the finals will cause the handicap to go up, and consistent failure to make the finals will cause the handicap to decrease.  Heats will be arranged such that there is an even distribution of front, middle and back markers in each heat.  Placement will be determined by time with stopwatches to be started on the word "GO" and stopped when the block is severed.  The competitor shall not strike the block prior to his/her assigned handicap.

Block Sizing:
Where possible all blocks will be sized by machine prior to the contest.  Junior underhand blocks will be 9-11 inches.  Women's underhand blocks will be 10 inches. Men's standing blocks will be 10 inches and men's underhand blocks will be 11 inches in diameter.

Placement of Blocks: For safety reasons, all contestants should finish facing the spectators.  Blocks should be kept in a straight line to enable accurate judging of the winners.  Lowest handicaps at one end of the line and running to the highest handicaps at the other end of the line.

Slabbing:
A slab is a portion of a log that has been dislodged as a result of an axe blow, which splits off to a foothold or to the end of the log.  Typically any competitor who creates a slab, and has not taken the necessary precautions to prevent slabbing, such as driving 4 or more nails into each side of the block, is disqualified unless he or she cuts the slab during the course of the event.  The SAWA will not be enforcing this rule this year, but wants you to be aware of it in the event that you travel to other contests.

Footholds (underhand):
A flat area may be cut into each side of the block to provide a place for the competitor to stand while chopping.  Anyone cutting through any foothold during the chop shall be assessed a 5 second penalty.  Members should be aware however that at other contests the penalty for this infraction is typically disqualification.

Jumping the Mark:
Any competitor striking the block prior to his assigned handicap will be assessed a 5 second penalty plus the amount by which he or she jumped. Members should be aware however that at other contests the penalty for this infraction is typically disqualification.

Time Limit:
In the interests of safety and continuity of the contest, a 3-minute time limit will be enforced on all chopping events.

Safety:
All axes must be pinned and all competitors must wear foot protection while chopping.  In the underhand, all blows must be struck while the competitor is standing atop the block.  In the standing block the first blow on each side must be in an upward direction. In the standing block shin protection must be worn.

HAND SAWING RULES:

Block Sizing:
Where possible all blocks will be sized by machine prior to the contest at 14 inches diameter. 

Two Man Bucking:
Each team will take one cut from a log which is firmly attached to the stanchion.  It is the competitor's responsibility to assure the stability of the log prior to the beginning of the event.  A starting cut equal to an 8 inch arc will be given only for teams of which both members are less than 16 years old.  All cuts must be within 1.5 inches of the end of the log, at the top.  Foot boards may be used, but there will be a strictly adhered to time limit of two minutes from the time your name is called until the start of the heat.  This is a championship event and time will start at the count of "GO" for all competitors and end when the disk is clearly severed.  Movement of the saw prior to the start will result in a 5 second penalty.  Cutting out prior to the completion of the cut will result in disqualification, although if the disk breaks in the course of the cut, the team may continue.

One Man Bucking:
Same as the Two- Man Bucking, except requires the participation of only one competitor and a small starting cut will be allowed (8 inch arc).  No weight or device may be hung on the free end of the saw.  A second, or wedger, may be present at the log during the cut but may not touch the saw in any way once the count begins.  The second must stand to the log side of the saw during the event to allow the spectators to see.

HOT SAW RULES:

Block Sizing:
Where possible all blocks will be sized by machine prior to the contest at 12 inches diameter. 

Limitations on the saw:

	The saw may be of any manufacture including chainsaw, go-cart, motorcycle or snowmobile.
	Restricted to one cylinder, pull start saws.
	Each Hot Saw may be used by no more than 2 competitors at each contest.
	Each saw should include a sprocket cover to keep thrown chains with the saw.
	Excessive filing of the chain "side plates" will be disallowed for safety reasons

Cutting Motion:
Each heat will begin with the saw on the ground, not running, and the competitor's hands on the top of the log.  On the start the competitor will start the saw and make three cuts: Down, Up, Down ... in that order.  Saws should be shut down immediately upon completing three cuts. Once the saw has been shut down the judge will inspect the disks to ensure that there are 3 complete cuts.  A cut- out will result in disqualification. If prior to shutting down the saw the competitor realizes that he has a cut- out he may cut one additional disk. Timing is continuous.

Timing:
Time will start on the count of "GO" and will end when the third disk has been severed.

Safety:
Chaps, eye protection and ear protection must be worn during this event.  Saws should be shut down immediately upon completing the event.  Saws may be started prior to the contest only in an area assigned by the show management.  Saws may not be started during the contest, other than during the one minute warm up period prior to each heat, and then only the saws in that heat may be run.  At the conclusion of the event a 5 minute period will be given for cleaning out of the fuel lines, for those that require this, in the area previously assigned.

AXE THROWING RULES:

	The center of the bull's eye will be approximately 60 inches from the ground.
	The foul line is 20 feet straight out from the bull's eye then down, for adults; 15 feet for those under the age of 15.
	Points will be scored in the highest point ring into which the axe has penetrated.
	The axe must stick in the target until the Judge removes it or instructs the contestant to do so.
	Contestants must stand behind the foul line. The axe must hit the target before either foot crosses the foul line.  Foot faults will result in no score for that throw.
	The axe must be double bitted, of at least 2-1/2 pounds, and have an overall length of no less than 24 inches and no greater than 40 inches (as measured from the top of the eye to the end of the handle).  The blade width should not exceed 6 inches.
	Four throws for score will be given and the best three will be totaled for the official score.
	It is up to the judge to carefully "back-out" the axe head if the axe is on the borderline of a higher scoring ring.  he contestant will not be allowed to touch the axe handle until the judge has scored the throw.
	Ties for placement will be broken by a one throw, "sudden death" format.