As campus recreation professionals, you know that college is a time when young adults are willing to try new activities and seek out new challenges. Students who are active within their rec center probably competed in at least one high school sport and, if they’re not on a varsity team in college, they’re likely looking for a competitive outlet. For students who never participated in a high school sport, they might like to try something in college, but are nervous about being brand new. Log rolling could be the answer!
Everyone who tries log rolling feels it’s addictive pull — “just one more time” is the mantra for first timer. Log rolling is a unique and safe aquatic sport with a strong fitness component, so it appeals recreationally to college students and staff. But the real fun begins when people challenge one another competitively. This often happens naturally within the first few minutes of trying the sport. A log rolling match is a simple competition of two people on one log, last one on wins.
Whether alone or with a partner, your heart rate will be pumping and your quads will be burning. But log rolling is a low impact sport due to the small steps on a buoyant surface, injuries are nearly non-existent.
So what’s the best way to incorporate log rolling competition into your program? Start with easy challenges for students to strive for:
- Can you stay on for a minute with three Trainers? Two? One? No Trainers? (FYI: ‘Trainers’ are the yellow accessories that slow and stabilize the Key Log.)
- How many times can you change the direction of the spin of the Key Log?
- How many full rotations can you make before falling in? How many within one minute? two minutes?
Once students have basic proficiency, set a date for a campus tournament. Depending on the number of participants, it could be double elimination bracket or round-robin, and either co-ed or split gender. Each match consists of three out of five rounds. See Key Log Rolling tournament rules for more details.
You will likely develop a group of students who would like to take their competitive skills to the next level. Find another campus in your region who may be interested in organizing an inter-collegiate tournament. Key Log Rolling can help connect you with other campus rec log rolling programs in your region!
Log rolling competitions are just as much fun to watch as they are to do, so even those who aren’t ready to compete will enjoy being a fan. A competition is another great way to draw more students and faculty into the facility and check out everything you have going on!
Humans love to compete and it fuels improvement in everything. Plus it brings people together! In 2018, Key Log Rolling will be conducting the first United States Log Rolling Championships™ in the college division, venue and date TBD. We encourage colleges to begin preparing students for this historic sporting event.
