Stone of Strength

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

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 Unspunnen Festival which occurs every 11 years and at the 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 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

 

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

In addition, the 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.

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....