Snowsnake competition still strong at Six Nations

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As long as there is snow, there will be snowsnake in Iroquois country. Snowsnake is a traditional Iroquois winter sport dating back hundreds of years. In early times, the snowsnakes were thrown wherever there was an accumulation of snow. In the last hundred years, tracks were built to house the fast moving pieces of wood.

Snowsnakes are made from hardwood trees such as hickory, ironwood, hard maple, black walnut or cherry. Trees with a fine grain are usually chosen when making snowsnakes. They are predominantly cut in late February when the sap has gone from the trees and they are dry. Depending on the snowsnake maker, the wood may be left for up to a year with the ends greased, split to dry or soaked in linseed oil for up to a year.

The log is then split and cut into sections depending what kind of snake is being made. There are two types of snowsnakes. The mudcats are short snakes measuring three feet in length. The longsnakes measure seven feet to nine feet in length.

A wood plane, rasp, spokeshave or draw-knife is used to shape the wood into a snake. The wood is always worked along the grain and must be completely dry when shaping. Balance is the most important aspect of the snowsnake, and balance is achieved by pouring melted lead onto the tip for added weight. The lead tip also protects the snake from splitting. On the opposite end of the snake, a notch is made to accommodate the index finger when the snake is thrown. Once carved and smoothed, shellac is applied to protect the snake from moisture. Different waxes are applied, depending on the snow conditions in which the snake will be most useful. Some snowsnakes are made specifically for certain weather conditions and will run best in those conditions.

The start of the snowsnake track is called the "pitch hole." An approach area is cleared in front of the pitch hole so the snowsnake throwers can run, gaining momentum, before throwing their snowsnakes. Snow is piled and packed to a height of approximately 30 inches. The track is continued in a straight line for at least 100 yards, with height gradually decreasing to just above ground level.

Once the length of the track is completed with piled and packed snow, a 20-foot log approximately four inches in diameter is placed on the pile of snow. The log is walked back and forth along the piled snow until a trough of five or six inches in depth is made. Once the track is firm and smooth, it is now ready for the game Shiners and Throwers.

"Shiners" are the experts when it comes to the game of snowsnake. They influence the selection of snowsnake that is thrown by the players. They select the appropriate snake and prepare it for the snow conditions. Shiners are always refining their selections as conditions of play change throughout a day.

Throwers can throw their snowsnake overhand, underhand or sidearm. Most throwers favour the sidearm pitch technique. Balance is the key in the throw as well, so when the thrower approaches the pitch hole, they extend their free arm to balance their body as they prepare to throw the snake. Some throwers wear baseball spikes for traction and leather gloves for grip.

Snowsnake is played in three classes; Mudcat or Longsnake 1st class, Longsnake 2nd class and Longsnake 3rd class. An average team has two throwers in each class and three to four shiners. There may be 10 to 15 players per team and there is no limit to the number of teams that may enter each game.

Each team is allowed only four throws each and the winning team is the one that acquires four points first. One point is awarded to the snowsnake that travels the farthest, two points if the second farthest snake is from the same team. A team can have a "gameout" if all four of its snakes come in first, second, third and fourth respectively. "Markers" stand at the end of the track and mark the throwing distance based on where the lead of the snake comes to a stop.

Snowsnakes travel at speeds up to 0 miles per hour so although snowsnake is fun, it is also dangerous. Spectators are urged to stand far away from the pitch hole and track as snakes have been known to jump the track and can be extremely dangerous at this top speed.

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Cultural centre announces winners

Frigid temperatures and a substantial snowfall all contributed to the success of Snowsnake '04 at the Woodland Cultural Centre on Jan. 24 and 25. A record number of teams (17) registered and arrived from all over Ontario and New York State to compete.

Thirteen teams and 71 players registered for the Mudcat class, and the Brooks Team (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) placed first in this division. The Longsnake division had 14 teams register (83 players). The Porter team (Six Nations) placed first in the 3rd class. The Isaac Team (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) placed first in the 2nd class and the Ozarks Team (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) placed first in the 1st class Longsnake.

There were 46 entries in five divisions of youth. Devon Curry (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) won the K-Grade 1 division. Thomas Canlan (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) won the Grade 2-3 division. Corey Green (Six Nations) placed first in the Grade 4-6 division. Jordan Johnson (Six Nations) won the Grade 7-8 division, and Jordan Williams (Cattaraugus, N.Y.) won the Grade 9-10 division.