Cool this is the only event I have shown any potential ability at so I can maybe actually add something!!!  That said the best guys to watch are berby and Jonathan Barlow.  At 180lbs or so, they have thrown further than most of the big NE Ams (I'm sure you all will catch up next year).  I've watched both pretty close and they have some things in common.  Lots of extension when they release and both have insanely fast feet.  From a training standpoint I want to try some Bench throws with a Smith Machine (someone here suggested that to me) I think that would really help.

Also, Dan W., Wayne and any other NE AD's.  I found the coolest stone for this.  It was a day where the Hudson (up by the rapids) was really low  and I found this nice smooth flattened egg shape rock that weighs around 140 or so.  Being located where it was I can not make any claims that having it touch your skin will not cause health damage, but it has not glowed in the dark while in my yard.  I'll see if I can post some pictures after all the snow melts.

Don't recall what the Heather Kincaid stone we throw at Dunsmuir weighs (around 100# I think) but I do seem to recall that Dave Youngberg has launched this thing over 15' (he threw it Braemar style, no run up).

Borges wrote: Don't recall what the Heather Kincaid stone we throw at Dunsmuir weighs (around 100# I think) but I do seem to recall that Dave Youngberg has launched this thing over 15' (he threw it Braemar style, no run up).

I will hand out a hundy to anyone and everyone that can stand still and throw a 100 lb stone 15'

This was taken from a website called The Thrower's Page.  See the final paragraph in particular. It should give Roy some comfort, because if Kevin Toth could only throw a 110# stone 17'6.5" with some type of an approach, very few people are going to get 15' from a stand.  Mac Wilkins managed 21'3" with a 55# brick using an approach.  Given that Dave Youngberg "only" threw the 26# Braemar stone 33'0" at Pleasanton this year, throwing a stone that weighs about four times as much almost half as far seems very unlikely to me.  Sorry Carlos, no disrespect to you or Dave, it just doesn't make sense to me.

Steinstossen: ("stone throw") This is a traditional Bavarian event associated with annual festivals. The implement is a stone or solid iron brick. It is thrown from a long jump runway toeboard into the sand pit. Basically, you run up to the line, carrying the stone either on your shoulder or overhead, and then heave the stone up and out. The implement must land in the pit, or else it is a foul. The thrower is allowed up to 40 meters approach (as in javelin and horizontal jumps, more than necessary), and the toeboard serves as the foul line.

Traditionally, stones were used and are still used at many festivals. Men put a large stone in the neighborhood of 10 to 20 kg (22-44lbs) and women in the neighborhood of 5 to 10 kg (11-22lbs). In the championships, the implement has been standardized to a 15kg (33lb) iron block for men, 10kg (22lb) (40-49), 7.5kg (16.5lb) (50-59) for masters competitors, and a 5kg (11lb) solid iron brick for women.

SP spinner Brian Oldfield tried this event with a running South African and sent the block off close to the spectators. Since then, they do not allow you to turn 360 degrees during your throw. The best with a 15kg stone: 13.11 by Kneißler Bernd 62 MTG Mannhheim Waiblingen 25Aug84. The best American: 11.01 Brian Oldfield 45 USA.

With a 25kg iron brick weight: The best is 8.11 Dück Oliver 67 TSV 1860 München 1990; the best American: 6.47 Mac Wilkins 50 USA 1975

The throwers' meetings in Ru"dlingen used a very heavy, 50kg stone. The best was 5.59 by Miroslav Menc Cze 13Aug00; the best American was 5.35 by Kevin Toth US 28Aug99.

Roy Bogue wrote: Borges wrote: Don't recall what the Heather Kincaid stone we throw at Dunsmuir weighs (around 100# I think) but I do seem to recall that Dave Youngberg has launched this thing over 15' (he threw it Braemar style, no run up). I will hand out a hundy to anyone and everyone that can stand still and throw a 100 lb stone 15'

You figure the Portland Stone was 96lbs, and with the 15ft. run up the FR is 17' or so.  We used the throw the 135lb Gillenwater Stone at Glasgow, KY.  A 12 ft. throw was gettin it done!

Hopefully Grace or Youngberg will comment. I don't know the exact weight but I do recall something like 15' on the distance. It's a big rock. It was a Braemar style throw but he did use two hands. I don't recall him using a run-up although one is allowed. The field is most definitely sloped.

Borges wrote:  It was a Braemar style throw but he did use two hands.

I should think so!!!

Borges wrote: Just fishing around I found the official weight, the Heather Kincaid Memorial stone is 88 pounds.

I should think so!!!

Peter:  Studies have shown that lengthy exposure to Rye Whiskey can addle the brain.  Also, Carlos is getting old enough that he's allowed to tell "tall tales".

88lbs sounds right to me, I was going to say 90lbs.  There's a slight slope, but for 15', I don't know how much you're getting out if it....  I think he went 15'4" IIRC.  Its pretty amazing to watch, like he's better suited for an 88lb. Braemar than a 22 or a 26....

Josh

KTDupuis wrote: Roy, At Tallahassee I threw the 100# stone 10' 8" from a stand (toes to trig). Can I have $71.11?

NO!   

Carlos- put a bottle of your favorite rye JUST below target distance - wallah! PR!

MJurkoic wrote: Roy, is that offer good through 2008?

yes

The Jayster wrote: hey josh, i have a TALL tale to tell!

Jayster - I think there's a guy impersonating you at http://www.jaylyttle.com - www.jaylyttle.com

He looks like you, but claims to be 6'.  Are you related to him?

M-BAAB wrote: Carlos- put a bottle of your favorite rye JUST below target distance - wallah! PR!

I dunno Mike, I suspect the outcome there might just be the tragic loss of a good bottle of rye. I can hear the wailing now - "God, nooooooo! She was only six years old!"

M-BAAB wrote: northsider - as Kevin's role model and stone of strength thrower extrodinare(sp) - best way to toss big rox is to hold (right handers) it on right shoulder w. right hand just under the back end and left hand just under the front. Turn/twist shoulders as far back to right as possible. Using a 10 foot or so run up , you want to land/hop in a braemar type stance - LEFT arm and leg LIFT UP- Right arm and leg PUSH OUT. NO legs = no distance. Make sure you land about a foot or so from toe board so you can lift/push foward and not foul. No height = no distance. ..........Kevin - nyaaaaaa nananannaner.....

Sounds like a solid way to toss. Exactly what I was looking for. Do you, or anyone else for the matter, ever practice this crazy event? In my experience, this event seems like something that I could practice, but never really get around to doing it, mainly because its a stupid heavy rock...

I have found documentation of the Irish, Germans, and Swiss performing two handed stone throws as a sporting event. Since the Irish perform this event, there is justification of doing this event at a Celtic Festival (I am sure there is similar info for scottish events).

The Swiss & Germans call it Steinstossen. The Irish call it the Super Heavy Stone Put (8 stones = 112lb)

The Irish allow a lozenge shaped stone or metal throwing instrument whereas all others seem to only allow stones.  It appears in all cases the throw can be made either as a push from the chest or over head or any other way just so long as the thrower is facing the landing area.

IRISH

A picture of the Irish super heavy implement:  
 

Much of the info I have on the Irish throw is from the Irish Throwing clubs events webpage which is no longer available.  However the record apparently is 3.81 meters or 18' for a 8 stone/112lb implement

GERMAN

Steinstossen literally translate to stone push. It however does not have to be the lighter weights mentioned in the prior post. Those lighter weights probably come from a German throwing Triathlon called Rasenfraftsport. Never the less, the Germans/Bavarians do have a tradition of doing two handed heavy stone throws. 

German Rasenfraftsport

Rasenkraftsport is a German throwing triathlon consisting of a weight throw, wire hammer throw, and a brick throw

per Wikipedia:
In 1860, Steinstossen was introduced as a track-and-field discipline in Germany, retaining the name in spite of the stone being replaced by a 15 kg block of iron.

From Rasenfraftsport rules:
The term when used in The Rasenkraftsport, refers to a one handed put of a brick made of metal weighing 15kg (33lb) and about 6.5 in long, 3.5 in wide, and 5 in. thick.

Other German Steinstossen

http://www.gafsociety.org/activities.htm - German American Festival , Oregon Ohio - run a challenge event Steinstossen

Men - 138#, Record 14'-4"
Women - 75#, record 10'-10"

Any Ohioan Highland Games throwers ever been to this event?

SWISS

The Steinstossen occurs at the famous Swiss festival called the http://www.unspunnenfest.ch/home.0.html?&L=1 - Unspunnen Festival which occurs every 11 years and at the http://www.pictures-switzerland.com/aelplerfest/index.htm - Swiss Federal Wrestling and Cow Herding Festival  has an annual (?) event (and I am sure at others)

The Unspunnen Festival has a world champion in this event using the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unspunnenstein - Unspunnen stone which has been stolen a few times - another famous stone.  From the pictures, it appears the Swiss Wrestling and Cow Herding Festival uses that same stone. 

The following picture is from http://history.swissroots.org/185.0.html - http://history.swissroots.org/185.0.html

 

which lists the record for the throw of the 83.5 kg (184 lbs) stone as 3.61m or 11'-10"

In addition, the  http://www.sugarcreekohio.org/swissfestival.htm - Ohio Swiss festival contests the Steinstossen which is "a main attraction since 1956.  It is truly a sight to behold, as men hoist a 138-pound stone boulder far above their heads and hurl it great distances.   This feat is a true test of strength and brawn as they struggle to lift the heavy mass without dropping it. The women's com­petition uses a 95-pound boulder"

I could not find any records for this event.

Andrew, it would be cool to see the rock come east this season, still sounds like fun (note to self: more push presses)  However, I just saw the "Hornussen" game in some of those festival pics.  What...The... ?  

 I guess I shouldn't say anything about sheaf toss anymore...

Jayster - I think there's a guy impersonating you at http://www.jaylyttle.com/ - www.jaylyttle.com He looks like you, but claims to be 6'.  Are you related to him?

C'mon Josh don't you remember Jay looking you square in the chest and swearing he was 6'?

by the way alcohol abuse will not be tolerated.

The Jayster wrote: and i'm throwin' short!!!

At this point, I gotta believe you're either testing to see if I'm reading this, or you're just teeing them up for me on purpose....

andrew great story....

saw this stone back in 2001 under a waterfall-during a noreaster.it was extremly round(for a natural stone) and looked to be  a nice throwable size(100-125)...always coveted it and myself and the MWR-even tried to grab it one day..stream current was too much and to cold...well low and behold 2 yrs later I am with my kids fishing and I spot it downstream about 55 yards ..only problem if I get it I can only get it up a 45 degree hill or a sheer cliff....tell the misses ok let me try this..I'lll be back in an hour..head to the stream..hike down the hill with a canvas sack....get the stone(fall knee deep into water 2X)it is a bit heavier than originally thought(was 187lbs!)and a lot smoother than I thought..get it up to my belly get it ashore and while  I was laready spent with the battle put it in the sack...guess what sack broke right away...went back up hill to car got a rope and a blanket,,,tried a mesh type note..slipped...put balnket around it -couldn't get it going..now 2+ hours into it was not to be deafeated by this mere pebble..start pushing it up hill...evry few feet is met witha roll back past where I started...lower back is cramping..fingers hurt..and the next thing I know a police spotlight is shining down the hill at me telling me what I am doing..I yell get the MWR here he will explain(MWR is a old training partner-now pro strongman and a cop in the same dept that is blinding me...google Gerard Benderoth to see pick's and video of the mWR)he wants to see ID..I say I aint coming up the hill without the stone...couple of chuckles later he says Gerard is on the radio and says Wood your a wimp and I bet you a case of MOlson XXX you can't get trhat stone up the hill in 15 minutes...guess what...pushed..pulled and made it up the hill(what I thought was 5-10 minutes was actually 45 minutes later)..was met by 4 laughing Haverstaw cops who couldn't believe this mud covered,sweat soaked, human was requesting some beer..well loaded the stone and left...went home took dirty clothes off and passed out..it was a hell of a job and took 4 + hours but she was mine!!never threw her and my new traing partner took it as a conditioning rock