Boom Run is an individual sport where participants run across a string of logs attached end to end in the water. The person that runs across the logs, and back, before the opposition is the winner.

Created by bored lumberjacks, boom run is the sport of running across long groupings of logs. These logs, or booms, consist of 6 to 12 logs floating in 5 feet of water. The runner that completes a pre-determined amount of laps is considered the winner.

Run across floating booms as quickly as possible.

Booms are usually made of 6 to 12 logs, with each log measuring 8 to 14 feet. Logs are connected in straight lines by ropes. Booms float in no more than 5 feet of water. When a judge gives a signal, two runners jump on their booms and begin running towards the end. The amount of laps depends on the competition. The runner with the quickest time of completion is the winner.

The popular image of the lumberjack began in the 18th and 19th centuries in heavily forested areas of the United States and Canada. Lumberjacks would live in lumber camps, and follow timber harvesting jobs as they became available. Competitions were often held in lumber camps that would test lumberjacks on common skills used in the job. These competitions eventually evolved into organized annual championships. The largest event, the Lumberjack World Championship, was first held in 1960. Boom run draws its origins from old sawmill practices of floating strings of logs, called booms, down rivers. These booms were formed to keep each company's logs properly grouped together. When booms would break apart, lumberjacks would run quickly across the boom to repair them. This practice evolved into competition between lumberjacks to see who was quickest. Today, boom run is an integral part of all competitions.

Booms

Boom running is a moderately dangerous activity. Injury can sometimes occur when competitors fall awkwardly from booms.

Boom running requires competitors to posses a combination of speed and balance. Sprinting drills are beneficial, as is any form of aerobics or gymnastics that promote balance.

Boom - string of logs attached end to end

Lumberjack - a person who traditionally fells trees, cuts them into logs and/or transports them to a sawmill

http://www.logrolling.org/tutorials/boom/