Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/37509
live on the move On a Roll Splashing through summer with a logrolling lesson By Meagan Parrish Stand upright on two feet. Hold yourself high, fi nd your balance and don’t topple over. Luckily for most of us, this simple task can be accomplished daily without much effort. Th at is, until you try doing it on a fl oating log. “Our goal today is fi ve seconds,” Shana Martin told me as I prepared to take my fi rst steps on the log. Standing waist-deep in the shallow edges of Lake Wingra, I had arrived to take a lesson with Martin and fi nd out why this lumberjack-tradition- turned-sport has become a local summer craze. Th e owner of Madison Log Rolling, which offers lessons to young and old alike, and a world-champion lumberjack athlete with a big smile, Martin offered a quick run-through of the basics before inviting me to climb aboard the log. In theory, the technique was pretty simple: To stay afl oat as the log rolls un- der your feet, you need to step lightly and quickly (like jogging in place) and keep your balance. Five seconds? Psh. On my fi rst try, I made it six. But my beginner’s luck, coupled with a little fi st-pumping celebration to the sound of “We Are the Champions” ringing sweetly in my ears, was soon replaced by the humble splash of defeat. Splat. With each consecutive try, the number of seconds I could stay atop the water was more akin to a typical rookie experience: two or three seconds became my average time before I would lose my balance and fi nd myself stepping down into the murky water. Pretty soon, I could see why fi ve seconds was a mark to beat. Meanwhile, the work of stabilizing my body provided an excellent workout for my core and the little spurts of success running atop the log turned the hour into a cardio workout. But the real surprise was how ad- dicting it was to keep on rollin’. Heart thumping, legs complaining, my competitive instincts took over. I couldn’t stop myself from climbing back on the log over and over to see if I could last just a lit- tle longer. Even when I took a real tumble (and to the onlookers who got to witness my face-forward fl op: you’re welcome), I was still having fun. 14 BRAVA Magazine July 2011 Where to go: In addition to the classes offered through Madison Log Rolling, Martin also teaches adult classes at the east and west Madison YMCA locations. And that was really the best part of log rolling—which I’ve decided is an apt met- aphor for life. Not only can you take a spill, Quick Tips What to wear: Prepare to get wet! Form-fi tting clothes over a bathing suit is a great choice for staying comfortable as you roll. You’ll also need shoes that can get wet, and make sure you bring a towel or change of clothes for the drive home What to expect: Though you will end up in water (and might even fall once or twice on your way there) Martin says she has never—knock on a log—seen a newbie sustain a serious injury. Who will love it: Though many logrolling classes target children and young adults, grown-ups will fi nd plenty to love about it, too! Not only does it offer a great workout, especially for your lower body, the chal- lenge of tackling a new fi tness adventure has rewards all its own. get right back up and keep rolling, but a little dip in the lake makes it a great way to stay cool in the summer. Photo by Chris Hynes