Lineman Rodeo!--Part 1

August 14th, 2009

I have a TON of pics from this so they will be in 3 different posts........

The Lineman Rodeo is several different events where the different teams compete for the most points. They started in the early 1980's. There is a huge one held in Montana every year and I am pretty sure I can plan on us being there next year. :)

Each team starts with 100 points and points are taken away if events are done over the time limit or incorrectly. The events were, Speed Climb (or Egg Climb), Change Out an 8' Single Crossarm with 2 Pin Insulators, Operate Disconnects and Chang Out a Fuse, Pole Top Rescue and the "Mystery" event.

This post is mainly on the Speed Climb, which is the one Eric participated in.

Here he is with his team, waiting for the rodeo to start.

Tesla Power doing their chant before the rodeo.
"Rain, Snow, Blistering Heat, Tesla Power Can't Be Beat!"

Here is Eric heading up the pole. He had to carry that little bucket in his mouth with an egg in it.

Once he got to the top of the 35 foot pole , he had to hang the bucket up there, and remove the egg and put it in his mouth....

And make it back down with the egg still in tact, and in 30 seconds or less!

Eric made it in 32 seconds and was pretty disappointed. He fumbled with the egg a little bit which cost him a couple seconds. Only one guy made it under the limit. But at least his egg didn't break so he was only deducted 2 points. There were some people sitting behind us saying "Wow, he is fast! Look how little he is!" Ha ha. It was pretty funny. Several of the instructors said the smaller guys are always the best climbers. Makes sense to me!

Stay tuned for more...........