HEAVY ATHLETICS
The Caledonian Clash, A Heavy Athletics Team Competition
The 2nd Annual Caledonian Clash: A Heavy Athletics Team Competition, will take place on Saturday, September 20 and Sunday, September 21. Pick your favorite team, wear their color and root for your team to WIN the Caledonian Cup!
This innovative format for the heavy athletics competition features five teams, each comprising of seven athletes, competing in seven traditional heavy athletic events: the Braemar Stone, Open Stone, Heavy Weight for Distance, Light Weight for Distance, Weight Over Bar, Sheaf Toss, and fan favorite, Caber Toss.
We have selected the Pro Men and Pro Women of Heavy Athletics competing in this year’s Caledonian Clash! 2025 Captains are the following:
Pro Men: Jared Conklin, Luke Crowley, Colin Dunbar, and Nick MacPhee
Pro Women: Emily Adams, Jessica Bridenthal, Katie Crowley, Amarissa Handy, and Katie Vaudrain
Keep checking back for updates on athletes and teams.
TEAM ARGYLLS
Represents a region, but also the fabric pattern developed as a symbol of rebellion. The fiercest clan (Campbell) is from this region.
Team includes:
Co-Captains: TBD – Pro Man & Pro Woman
TBD (Amateur Woman), TBD (Amateur Man), TBD (Masters Woman), TBD (Masters/Lightweight Man), and TBD (Adaptive Athlete)
TEAM CLYDE
Named after a large Scottish river and is connected to ship building.
Team includes:
Co-Captains: TBD – Pro Man & Pro Woman
TBD (Amateur Woman), TBD (Amateur Man), TBD (Masters Woman), TBD (Masters/Lightweight Man), and TBD (Adaptive Athlete)
TEAM HEBRIDEAN
Named after a collection of 40 Scottish islands and celebrates love of the sea.
Team includes:
Co-Captains: TBD – Pro Man & Pro Woman
TBD (Amateur Woman), TBD (Amateur Man), TBD (Masters Woman), TBD (Masters/Lightweight Man), and TBD (Adaptive Athlete)
TEAM REIVERS
Named for raiders in the borderlands between Scotland & England.
Team includes:
Co-Captains: TBD – Pro Man & Pro Woman
TBD (Amateur Woman), TBD (Amateur Man), TBD (Masters Woman), TBD (Masters/Lightweight Man), and TBD (Adaptive Athlete)
TEAM TROSSACHS
Named after a heavily forested, mountainous region of Scotland.
Team includes:
Co-Captains: TBD – Pro Man & Pro Woman
TBD (Amateur Woman), TBD (Amateur Man), TBD (Masters Woman), TBD (Masters/Lightweight Man), and TBD (Adaptive Athlete)
The Caledonian Clash Heavy Athletic Events
Caber Toss: Athletes pick up the 20-foot-long caber (log) weighing approximately 150lbs and run before tossing the caber. Throws are judged on straightness. The goal is to have the small end of the log facing away from the thrower at 12 o’clock angle.
Braemar Stone: Athletes throw a heavy stone from a standing position behind a toe board. The stone must be thrown with one hand and the distance is measured from the nearest mark made by the stone’s first contact with the ground.
Open Stone: This event is similar to the Braemar Stone and involves throwing a heavy stone, but with a more open throwing style. Athletes are allowed to use a longer run-up and a freer motion.
Heavy Weight for Distance and Light Weight for Distance: There are two weights thrown during this competition. One for light weight (28lbs. for men and 14lbs for women) and one for heavy weight (56lbs. for men and16 lbs. for women). The weights are metal balls with a handle. The weight is thrown using one hand and athletes are awarded 3 attempts to throw the weight the farthest.
Weight Over Bar: Athletes throw a weight (56lbs for men, 28 lbs for women) over a crossbar with one hand from a standing position. They have 3 attempts to get the weight over the bar. The bar continues to be raised during the competition until a final competitor throws the weight over the bar higher than all the other competitors.
Sheaf Toss: A bale of straw (20lbs for men and 12lbs for women) is tossed vertically with a pitchfork over a raised bar. The bar continues to be raised during the contest until one person tosses their sheaf higher than all the others.