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Climbing to the top of their profession ELECTRIC COMPETITION >> Local linemen set to test skills at rodeo FUN AMID FEAR

Rappahannock Electric Cooperative linemen test their speed and agility in upcoming rodeo

Date published: 4/3/2008

By CATHY DYSON

What these linemen do in a rodeo is almost as crazy as riding a bucking bronc.

The Rappahannock Electric Cooperative workers strap 35 pounds of gear around their waists and "leg irons" at their knees and ankles. These braces have steel gaffs on the inside of each leg, which give the climbers the claws they need to scurry up 40-foot utility poles.

At the top, the linemen toss the canvas bag they've carried in their teeth. They put the contents--each carries a Grade A large egg--into their mouths and come back down, careful not to crack the shell.

Travis Heffler has scrambled an egg in competition, and it's not pleasant.

"You'd whole lot rather have it cooked," he said.

Twelve REC workers will see how agile they are with their fragile cargo when they compete in the Gaff-n-Go Lineman's Rodeo this weekend in Lynchburg.

This year's group is the largest REC has sent in six years of competition. Three teams will take on five events. In addition, three apprentices will be tested on both actions and written questions.

Lineman Kevin Houston is the team's coach and the fastest climber. He's done the egg climb in 17 seconds and has seen lots of linemen do it faster.

But speed isn't everything, he tells those who volunteer for REC's teams. The men range in age from early 20s to mid-40s.

"You want to have a clean run, you don't want to have any gigs," or penalties, Houston explained.

The linemen practice for the two events they know will take place: the egg climb and rescuing a 180-pound mannequin that hangs from a pole after being shocked in the line of duty.

The other three are "mystery events," because the linemen won't know what the tasks are until they get to the competition.

But they're all skills a lineman needs daily, Houston said. Teams might have to replace a transformer or fix broken cross-arms, as linemen regularly do after bad weather brings down trees onto power lines.

Safety is stressed in every task--and is the primary reason for the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, said Ernie Bates, REC's Bowling Green district manager.

The events also bring out the special skills needed for people who make their living high above in the ground, in nasty weather and while working in a medium that can kill in a heartbeat.

That's what Robert Cushing likes about the competition--and being a lineman.

"Everybody in this line of work is in it for the pride," he said. "I like being able to say I do something a lot of people can't."

Cathy Dyson: 540/374-5425
Email: cdyson@freelancestar.com

WHAT: Gaff-n-Go Rodeo WHEN: 8 a.m. Saturday WHERE: Liberty University in Lynchburg WHO COMPETES: 40 teams from 22 utility companies in eight states AREA TEAMS: Dominion Power, Northern Virginia Electric Cooperative, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative LOCAL CONNECTION: Maxie Rozell, REC's safety director and a Caroline County supervisor, is co-chairman of the rodeo. WHAT ELSE? The rodeo is free, open to the public and includes family events. ON THE NET: gaff-n-go .com As the Rappahannock Electric Cooperative linemen practiced for an upcoming competition, one thing was clear: They're a tough crowd. There was little sympathy for apprentice Patrick Ambrose, who rolled up his pants to show a blood-stained sock. The "leg irons" had rubbed him raw, and the veteran climbers reminded him they'd told him to wear a pad or brace as protection. Earlier in the practice, Ambrose hadn't hustled up the 40-foot pole fast enough for those watching. "Breathe on your own time," a fellow lineman said. When Ambrose finished, he gasped, "Thanks, it's always good to have moral support." Because of the nature of their work, linemen need to laugh, said Leslie Scott. He isn't on the team, but has done the work for 34 years. "This job gets serious, so we have to have fun in between," Scott said.

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Date published: 4/3/2008