About this activity
The caber is a large tapered pole, measuring between 16 and 22 foot and weighing between 100-180 pounds. The caber is typically a tree that has been cut down and trimmed so that one end is thinner than the other. The throw is not measured by distance, but by accuracy and the ability of the competitor to toss the caber so that it flips over and faces away from the thrower, as though a clock face was pointing to 12 o’clock. To do this, the competitor picks up the caber upright in cupped hands, runs a short distance to gain momentum then pulls the caber so that the large end hits the ground while the small end flips over and ends up facing the competitor.
Origins & history
The Caber toss originates from Scotland and is the most well recognized event in the Scottish Highland Games.
When it happens
The activity typically occurs during Highland Games competitions. Within the GTA, there are several Scottish cultural festivals held during the summer months including the Highlands of Durham Games in Uxbridge and the Fergus Scottish Festival held in Fergus.
Who takes part
People from a Scottish descent or people who are interested in the Scottish culture and heavy weight activities.
