Advertisement

Woodchopping toddler ‘has the makings of future Ekka champion’

Darcy Head is already following in his father's footsteps at just 15-months-old.

Darcy Head is already following in his father's footsteps at just 15-months-old. Photo: ABC

Most one-year-olds are easily entertained playing in a sandpit or with teddy bears, but Darcy Head loves nothing more than honing his woodchopping skills.

The Redcliffe toddler has been getting a lot of practice with his little wooden axe as he helps his champion axeman father Jamie Head prepare for the underhand, standing block, and sawing competitions at this year’s Brisbane Ekka.

Darcy’s mum Katrina, who also competes, said her son has skills.

“For a one-year-old I think Darcy’s technique is quite impressive, he’s definitely not afraid of using an axe,” she said.

Mr Head, a seven-time Queensland Champion of Champions with multiple world titles under his belt, is set to compete in his 19th Ekka this year.

He said Darcy was happiest with a tiny axe or saw in his hand.

“He’s just all about woodchopping, he loves woodchopping and sawing,” he said.

“He’s a little bit small to be training with me all the time … but he tries to get here as much as he can.”

Mr Head has competed at the Ekka for nearly 20 years.

Mr Head has competed at the Ekka for nearly 20 years. Photo: ABC

Darcy gets involved when his father practices underhand in the backyard with his own set-up at his grandfather’s house at Kippa-Ring.

“We start him on just a little wooden axe that my grandfather built for him and then in another year or so he’ll probably graduate up to a little tomahawk,” Mr Head said.

“And then as the years go on and he gets a bit bigger we’ll just start getting the right size axes for him until he gets up to the full size.”

Darcy’s sister Anabelle, 6, and brother Archie, 4, are also both crazy about chopping and watching their dad compete.

The tradition of wood chopping runs back five generations in the family, beginning with Jamie’s great-grandfather who used to fell timber.

Darcy's parents met while both were competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Darcy’s parents met while both were competing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Photo: ABC

Darcy may have a while to wait until he can compete but his father believes he has a promising future.

“I’m pretty sure that he’ll stick with it and we’ll see him in about twenty years time at the Brisbane Ekka,” Mr Head said.

In the meantime, Ms Head said her children loved being the spectators.

“The boys really love being at the Ekka, whether it be sitting in the stand watching Dad or just hanging around out the back with all the other competitors,” she said.

-ABC

Stay informed, daily
A FREE subscription to The New Daily arrives every morning and evening.
The New Daily is a trusted source of national news and information and is provided free for all Australians. Read our editorial charter
Copyright © 2024 The New Daily.
All rights reserved.