Campus Connection

Free log rolling instruction for UWL students Dec. 2

A UW-La Crosse alumna and professional log roller returns to her alma mater in December to teach students her favorite sport. Katie Rick, ’08 and ’12, is volunteering to teach a free log rolling clinic at UWL. Students are invited to try log rolling from 8-10 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, at the Mitchell Hall Pool. No experience is necessary. The first session will run from 8-9 p.m., followed by another session from 9-10 p.m. The event is organized by a UWL Recreation Management programming class that was given an assignment to plan an event. “My group really wanted to come up with a unique event that would utilize Mitchell Hall pool as it is an underused facility by students that use the REC,” says UWL student Maddie Granos. “Log rolling came up as an idea, and we started reaching out to contacts and Katie Rick hopped on board.” Rick says she was “thrilled” to hear from students. Log rolling is social, fun and a good workout, says Rick. Additionally, the sport is rapidly spreading throughout the world, and recreation majors may find the opportunity to teach it someday, she adds. “I am volunteering for many reasons, but at the top of the list is my love for log rolling and the opportunity to share my passion with others,” she says. Katie Rick’s log rolling record Rick is an accomplished log rolling competitor, coach, instructor trainer and tournament director. She founded the Three Rivers Roleo Log Rolling Tournament at the Great River Landing in Onalaska, with her brother, UWL Alum Jacob Rick, ’13. They are currently planning the 10th annual event on Saturday, July 8, 2017. Rick has also directed several amateur tournaments, and recently founded the US Logrolling Open, a pro event in Chicago Southland in June 2016. She also organizes “try log rolling days” through Onalaska Park and Rec and works closely with the Aquatics Director at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA on lessons and log rolling instructor training. Rick is also working with Sue Bulk, who has taught log rolling at the La Crosse Area Family YMCA for 30 years, on designing and developing log rolling instructor training materials. [caption id="attachment_47371" align="aligncenter" width="685"] Katie Rick, ’08 and ’12, rolling against Maggie Penning of Hayward at the World Championships in summer 2015. Photo courtesy of Aperture by Steve Davis.[/caption] Rick has been an amateur World Champion in Intermediate Girls and a Semi-Professional Women’s World Champion. She is also a World Champion in the relay. She has earned 12 top three finishes in the professional series since 2005. She has consistently ranked in the top eight in both log rolling and boom running. A highlight of her log rolling career was being runner up in the 2011 STIHL Timbersports Series. She has qualified seven times for the series and the Great Outdoor Games on ESPN.