People from across New Zealand will bring their axes and competitive spirit to the chopping block at the Mount Maunganui RSA this Saturday.

Team Woodchopping event coordinator Neville Bowen says six teams will be bringing their best to inside the Mount RSA from 1pm to 6pm on September 23.

“There’s a variety of handicapped races which will be dependent on people’s skills. The team from Taranaki in particular is highly skilled, it has the world champion, Jack Jordan in it, who has won the last two years.”

Neville says Jack “broke the world record” this year when he won the STIHL Timbersports World Trophy.

“He chain sawed a 16-inch log, chopped a 12-inch log underhand, ran back, single sawed a 15-inch log off, then went and chopped a 12-inch log all in 58 seconds. He is amazing, and his brother is also the captain of the same team.”

Neville says ages of adult competitors range from under 21-years-old to 72-years-old, and will feature both men, women and juniors.

“It’s great to see young people getting involved and carrying on the sport.”

On Saturday, Neville encourages the public to come and watch the sport at the Mount RSA.

“We encourage the public to come and watch, it is free and open to the public. It’s something you don’t see very often, and people overseas pay big money to watch this sport.

“It’s also a heritage sport, so people can come and get a taste of what their grandfathers may have been doing.”

For more information on the team racing wood chopping event, visit the Mount Maunganui RSA website.

The competition runs from 1pm to 6pm at the Mount Maunganui RSA on 544 Maunganui Road, Tauranga.