Every summer, the sound of axes striking wood, roaring chainsaws, cheering crowds, and water splashing as logs spin echoes across Hayward as one of Wisconsin’s most unique sporting traditions returns to town. From July 15–18, the Lumberjack World Championships will once again transform the historic Lumberjack Bowl into the center of the timber sports world, bringing together elite athletes from around the globe to compete for world titles in chopping, sawing, climbing, and log rolling.

For more than six decades, the event has drawn competitors and spectators to Hayward, celebrating the region’s rich logging heritage while showcasing the remarkable athleticism required to excel in modern timber sports. What began in 1960 has grown into an international championship featuring more than 100 competitors representing numerous countries and states. 

This year’s field may be one of the strongest ever assembled.

Fans will have the opportunity to watch reigning champions, world record holders, rising stars, and international standouts battle for championship glory over four action-packed days.

One of the most anticipated storylines is the Women’s Log Rolling Championship. Seven-time World Champion Livi Pappadopoulos returns looking to capture her eighth world title. Known for her remarkable balance, quick footwork, and consistency under pressure, Pappadopoulos has spent more than a decade and a half competing at the highest level while also helping develop the next generation of athletes. Her path to another championship will not be easy, however, as a talented field of challengers looks to dethrone one of the sport’s most accomplished competitors.

The Women’s All-Around competition may be even deeper. Defending champion Stephanie Naud of Canada returns to Hayward with an impressive résumé that includes world championships, national titles, and world records. Standing in her way are several of the sport’s biggest names.

Seven-time Women’s All-Around Champion Erin LaVoie remains one of the most respected competitors in timber sports, bringing more than two decades of experience to the chopping and sawing events. Martha King, the 2019 Women’s All-Around Champion and 2024 runner-up, returns after another successful season, while Hayward native Kate Witkowski will once again have the hometown crowd behind her. Witkowski enters the championships as the reigning Women’s Standing Block World Champion and current world record holder in the event.

The men’s competitions promise just as much excitement.

Last year, Marcus Heineck stunned the log rolling world by winning the Men’s Log Rolling World Championship only one year after entering the professional ranks. Now the young champion faces the difficult challenge of defending his title against former champions Tanner Hallett and Anthony Polentini, along with a deep field of contenders eager to reclaim the top spot.

Meanwhile, reigning Men’s All-Around Champion Matt Cogar arrives in Hayward with a target squarely on his back. Cogar dominated last season’s championships, winning multiple chopping disciplines en route to the overall title. As the current U.S. TIMBERSPORTS Champion and record holder, he is widely considered one of the premier timber athletes in the world.

Yet challengers are coming from every corner of the globe.

Jason Lentz, a two-time Lumberjack World Championships All-Around Champion and STIHL TIMBERSPORTS World Champion, remains one of the most accomplished competitors in the sport. Australian standout Brayden Meyer will make his highly anticipated Hayward debut, bringing world-class speed and power to the underhand chop. Canada’s Marcel Dupuis is also expected to contend for top honors after building a reputation as one of the nation’s elite chopping and sawing athletes.

Of course, the Lumberjack World Championships are about much more than competition.

The event has long been one of northern Wisconsin’s premier family attractions, offering visitors a chance to experience the excitement of world-class competition while enjoying a festive atmosphere along the shores of the Namekagon River.

Families looking for the best value of the week should mark their calendars for Family Night on Thursday, July 16. The special admission package allows two adults and up to five children to attend for just $65. In addition to championship competition, families can enjoy kid-friendly activities, special giveaways, family meal deals, and interactive opportunities designed to introduce younger visitors to the traditions of lumberjack sports.

Throughout the weekend, spectators can explore vendor areas, meet athletes, enjoy food and beverages, and experience the unique blend of heritage and competition that has made the event a summer tradition for generations.

Whether you are a longtime fan who knows the difference between an underhand chop and a standing block chop, or a first-time visitor looking for a memorable Northwoods experience, the Lumberjack World Championships offer something unlike any other sporting event in the Midwest.

When the world’s best lumberjacks and lumberjills gather in Hayward this July, every swing, every cut, and every step on a spinning log could make history.

The only question is: who will leave Hayward as a World Champion. The answer unfolds July 15–18 at the Lumberjack Bowl.

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