Barrel jumping, although presumably considered
recreation by those who practice it, is a competitive
sport in which ice skaters attempt to propel themselves
over as many barrel-like objects in a row as possible.
Style is immaterial as only distance matters in scoring.
Barrel jumping is not an Olympic sport, but does have
a world championship competition.
History
Types of skate jumping have been attempted throughout the history of skating. Some evidence suggests that
long-distance skating competitions in 19th-century
Holland incorporated natural obstacles such as fences,
gates, and walls. The founding father of the modern
sport of barrel jumping is Irving Jaffee, a former
Olympic speedskating champion. Barrel jumping has
been criticized for its daredevil element. Yet one must
be in superior condition, with incredible control and
daring, to successfully compete in the risky sport.
Rules and Play
The basic premise of barrel jumping is that skaters work
up a head of steam by skating around a rink and then attempt to leap over a series of 16-inch (41-centimeter) diameter barrels that look like solid steel drums but are
made out of fiberboard or cardboard. In barrel-jumping
competitions, the barrels provide a soft, cushioned landing compared to the severe impact of clearing the barrels
and landing on the ice. Competitive barrel jumping begins with 12 barrels. Three attempts are allowed at each
distance. There are no scoring marks for style. The winner is the contestant who goes the farthest distance. The
world record is held by a Canadian, Yvon Jolin, who has
jumped 18 barrels, 8.9 meters (29 feet, 5 inches).
Safety is paramount, so suspension-type helmets,
hip and spine protectors are mandatory. The majority
of accidents result in sprains, torn muscles, and bruising. The most severe injuries are to the knee.
With an average weight of 75 kilograms (165
pounds), the body build and type for barrel jumping
resembles that of a track-and-field long jumper. For
the last decade Canadians have dominated the sport,
and they consistently win the Culligan World Cup, an
international team award added at the 1978 world
championships. The Canadians have emphasized agerange competitions to extend both the participatory
base and longevity of barrel jumpers. They have instituted Pee Wee, Bantam, Midget, Juvenile, and Senior
competitions as well as female divisions and have
record lists of winning performances on natural as well
as artificial surfaces. In 1971 the Canadian barrel
jumping clubs regrouped to form the Fédération de
Saut de Barils du Quebec Inc. In Canada, at least, barrel
jumping’s future is secure.
—SCOTT A. G. M. CRAWFORD
Bibliography: Sheffield, R., and R.Woodward. (1980) The Ice
Skating Book. New York: Universe Books. Widmark, R.
(1996) Materials and items received and transcript of
personal telephone interview (23 January).