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Best of the Best: The International Lineman’s Rodeo celebrates its 40th anniversary this year

By Susan Bloom | Sep 11, 2024
International Lineman's Rodeo

In 1984, three line industry professionals—Tom White, Dale Warman and Charlie Young—conceived the National Lineman’s Rodeo, a utility-­sponsored event focused on safe work practices and promoting greater awareness of line work while providing an opportunity for professionals to enjoy competition and receive recognition for their outstanding skills. Four decades later, the mission remains the same, but the event is bigger and better than ever.

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In 1984, three line industry professionals—Tom White, Dale Warman and Charlie Young—conceived the National Lineman’s Rodeo, a utility-­sponsored event focused on safe work practices and promoting greater awareness of line work while providing an opportunity for professionals to enjoy competition and receive recognition for their outstanding skills.

Four decades later, the mission remains the same, but the event is bigger and better than ever.

Launched in Manhattan, Kan., with 36 participants, the national event expanded into the International Lineman’s Rodeo in 1993. It currently involves more than 100 utilities and contractors sponsoring more than 1,300 journey-level lineworkers and apprentices from all over the world. Some 4,000 spectators cheer them on as they compete in a variety of challenging pole-climbing events and other activities. Held on the grounds of the National Agricultural Center and Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs, Kan., since 1999, this year’s rodeo is Oct. 16–19. Planners and participants are looking forward to yet another exciting and high-energy event.

“Forty years ago, this event started out very small with a couple of utility sponsors who thought it would be a great way to showcase linemen’s skills and have some fun,” said Kim Good, a 26-year veteran of the International Lineman’s Rodeo and event operations director through her firm, Endeavor Business Media, Nashville, Tenn., which partners with the rodeo to provide logistical and managerial support. 

“Since then, it’s grown tremendously from year to year, especially in the last three years during and since the pandemic. Linemen work long, hard hours on the front line to serve customers in some of the most challenging conditions, so a lot of utilities doubled down on their support for the rodeo recently as a way to reward linemen for their outstanding efforts, offer them an opportunity to have some fun and provide them a forum to showcase their talents,” she said.

“Though many worried that this event wouldn’t have the strength and potential to survive COVID, its continued growth is a true testament to the industry, the brotherhood of linemen and the trade’s desire to keep giving back,” Good said.

An expo featuring over 200 vendors of line work-related products and services will kick off the 2024 International Lineman’s Rodeo.

An expo featuring over 200 vendors of line work-related products and services will kick off the 2024 International Lineman’s Rodeo. 

The National Electrical Contractors Association is sponsoring the ILR Safety and Training Conference, which is held before the rodeo. NECA will be following Capital Electric Line Builders, an MDU company, as participants prepare for, compete and judge various events. 

“NECA is committed to the advancement of the electric utility industry,” said Mike Starner, the association’s executive director, outside line safety. “The men and women who compete in these events are not just demonstrating their technical know-how, but also the level of professionalism that linemen represent. They are on the front line, constructing, maintaining and operating the nation’s electrical system in just about every setting and condition you can imagine. From start to finish, this event showcases the best of what the trade has to offer.”

A robust agenda

The three-day event features a strong program of activities. There is an optional safety and training conference Wednesday and Thursday. The expo—with more than 200 exhibitors including line equipment and tool manufacturers, service providers and companies offering products and services involved in utility line work—takes place Thursday afternoon.

Starner will make a presentation on the evolution of safety management at the ILR Safety and Training Conference.

Competitors check in on Friday and receive a personal competition schedule. 

“There are two ‘known’ events for which they can practice in advance, but two of the events are kept a mystery until the actual competition so that participants can enjoy the challenge of competing ‘on the fly,’” Good said.

Per rodeo rules, on a field outfitted with dozens of 40-foot-high poles, journey-­level lineworkers participate in four aerial events as three-person teams (two climbers and one worker stationed on the ground who sends up tools and provides instructions). Apprentices compete in four individual events and take a written exam that measures their knowledge of basic skills. 

“The day usually starts at around 5 a.m., when sponsors and their team members arrive at the rodeo grounds, get their metal carts loaded and tools packed, set up their tents and start stretching out and preparing for the event,” Good said. 

In addition to U.S. lineworkers, the rodeo has featured competitors from Brazil, Canada, England, France, South Africa, Taiwan and more over the years.

One known event is the pole climb, a relay where each person climbs up and down with an egg in their mouth, trying not to break the egg.

“Last year, the fastest single competitor climbed up and down in 44 seconds and the winning team completed that task in 1 minute, 22 seconds,” Good said.

The other known event is the Hurt Man Rescue, which requires lineworkers to climb to the top of the pole and rescue a mannequin designed to simulate an injured or electrocuted co-worker and get them back to the ground safely.

“The top team last year completed that task in 1 minute, 31 seconds,” Good said.

Good said that the mystery events change each year, “but all involve climbing poles and most are ‘hot-­sticking’ events, requiring competitors to use insulators and hot sticks to perform nonroutine tasks such as changing out switches during a storm.”

Last year, one-third of the competitors (440) were apprentices. They take part in the same known events as journeymen. 

“Their two mystery events usually involve knot-tying and rope-throwing skills, and they also have a 50-question written test that counts towards their overall score,” Good said.

“Throughout the competition, the linemen and apprentices are very focused, and their families and utility support personnel are excited and cheering them on,” she said. 

Tents are set up on the 20-acre property, where sponsors provide food and hospitality. 

“The smell of all the great food cooking that day is always amazing—one sponsor makes their signature gumbo, one IBEW branch is known for their jambalaya, and other sponsors have smokers going with steaks and ribs for their crews. There’s music playing and a fun tailgate vibe going on,” Good said.

An awards banquet follows the competition on Saturday night. 

“We present awards for first through fifth place for each event across our numerous divisions, which include investor-­owned, municipal and cooperative utilities; contractors; military personnel; seniors; and more,” Good said. 

The awards banquet at the conclusion of the International Lineman’s Rodeo is an upbeat event celebrating ‘the best of the best.’

The awards banquet at the conclusion of the International Lineman’s Rodeo is an upbeat event celebrating ‘the best of the best.’

Lineworkers’ Super Bowl

While the event started out as a spirited “my crew is better than your crew” challenge 40 years ago, the all-volunteer rodeo has evolved into so much more over the years. 

“There are no better people out there than linemen. We’re a tight-knit group, and the rodeo really promotes the lineman trade and enables lineworkers to compete against the best of the best in the world, learn new ways of doing things, meet a lot of people, enjoy great camaraderie and have fun,” said Dennis Kerr, a retired journeyman lineworker with Detroit-based DTE Energy, longtime co-chair of the Board of Directors for the International Lineman’s Rodeo Association and chairman of its Scholarship Committee.

Scholarship programs

“Around 2001–2002, we started awarding scholarships to people going to lineman school in order to give back,” Kerr said. “There are currently 35–40 lineman schools across the U.S. offering programs that last from three months to two years, and we now give out 18 $2,000 scholarships every year to qualified candidates. A set of lineman’s tools can cost $2,000, so these scholarships help take a big expense off the table for prospective lineworkers and get individuals new to the trade going in the right direction,” he said. 

“We’ve given out over $300,000 in scholarships since the inception of this program and we’re proud to say that every scholarship recipient to date has been successful in the trade.”

“The rodeo is also a family-friendly event that enables people to see what their loved ones do for a living,” Kerr added. “We’ve had fathers and sons as well as brothers competing, and we’ve even had teams made up of three people from three different unions, which confirms how important the event is to participants and how much it helps bring people together,” he said. “It’s a very inclusive event too, with a seniors division for those over 50 and even military and military apprentice divisions.” 

On competition day, more than 1,300 journeymen and apprentice lineworkers compete in a range of challenges.

On competition day, more than 1,300 journeymen and apprentice lineworkers compete in a range of challenges.

Kerr noted that at least 10 women participated in the 2023 event as well, a first for the rodeo.

“Seeing the rodeo’s growth over the years is a testament to how hard all of our teams and volunteers work to put this event together for the linemen, and they’re always so appreciative, which is incredibly rewarding and makes it all worth it. A lot of participants come back year after year to compete. It’s a special time and becomes like a family reunion for them each year,” Good said, adding that this year’s 40th anniversary event will feature a musical performance and other special giveaways and souvenirs.

The rodeo is also a family-friendly event that enables people to see what their loved ones do for a living. We’ve had fathers and sons as well as brothers competing. — Dennis Kerr 

 

“Linemen work very hard in tough conditions, and we love putting on this annual event for them so that they can enjoy themselves and have a little fun,” Good said.

Kerr agreed. “This is a great event that really promotes the trade, and we hope that it continues to grow and carry on for generations,” he said. 

Matt Fredericks, director of North American business development for Champion Fiberglass, Spring, Texas—a first-time sponsor of the International Lineman’s Rodeo—couldn’t agree more.

“We’ve been working directly with lineworkers and utilities ever since our company was founded in 1988, and we have the utmost respect for lineworkers and what they do,” Fredericks said. His company provides a comprehensive line of lightweight, corrosion-resistant and fault-resistant utility risers, long radius sweeps, electrical conduit and pole risers to the utility industry. 

“Line and electric utility workers are truly an international brotherhood who are dedicated to helping each other and ‘keeping the lights on’ for their customers regardless of the conditions, and our company shares in and celebrates those values,” he said.

“It’s amazing to see so many lineworkers from around the world come together in such a collegial fashion, and we’re excited to be part of the Lineman’s Rodeo, which is one of the most premier events in the utility industry,” Fredericks said. 

“Champion Fiberglass is extremely invested in the utility industry, and we hope to make our participation in the Lineman’s Rodeo an annual tradition,” he said. 

“When you come to the International Lineman’s Rodeo, you get to compete and be part of something wonderful that’s truly unique to this industry,” Good said. “It’s all about pride, brotherhood, family and camaraderie, and you’ll have a great time working hard and playing hard.”

For more information on the 2024 International Lineman’s Rodeo, visit www.linemansrodeokc.com

Charles Thomas / Endeavor Business Media

About The Author

BLOOM is a 25-year veteran of the lighting and electrical products industry. Reach her at [email protected].

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