Despite growing up on a farm, Stéphanie Naud had never touched an ax or saw before studying at McGill University’s Macdonald campus in Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue on the island of Montreal.
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“I was part of volleyball, basketball, flag football and track teams in high school. “I’ve always been a natural athlete,” says Naud. I wanted to join a team at CEGEP or at the university and the choices were not very numerous. I learned that there was an inter-university lumberjack club, the only one in Quebec. I was curious and tried it out. »
This discipline corresponded to many of his interests, including training, nature and manual work. It’s no surprise that the graduate of a technical degree in agricultural management, a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics and a master’s degree in animal science spent nine years on campus. After five years as an athlete, she coached the McGill lumberjack team.
“It’s a very technical sport,” she continues. I’m a pretty competitive person, but with myself. I always want to prove that I’m pushing my limits. I like that it’s an individual sport: no one is dependent on you. When something goes wrong, you can just be angry at yourself without any consequences for others. »
The adrenaline
Sporty logging also brings with it some strong emotions. Just look at how quickly the athletes work with their sharpened tools.
“Even if we have good protective equipment, dealing with such sharp objects quickly is a bit of an adrenaline rush,” confirms Naud.
Sports logging is serious. The 28-year-old Estriene doesn’t just train with an ax and saw, she completes a complete program with the aim of maintaining good cardio training and excellent physical condition. She loves running and strength training.
Two jobs, almost three
With a busy schedule, the operations management consultant must be disciplined to find time for training. In addition to her full-time job, she grows hay and helps her boyfriend on his dairy farm.
“I just made 1,100 small square balls that I hand-stretched into the cars. It stays in shape. It weighs between 45 and 50 pounds! » reassures those who do this not for the money, because the scholarships allow you to cover the expenses of transport, accommodation and equipment.