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16th annual Lineman's Rodeo to showcase electric linemen skills

LUBBOCK, TEXAS - When speed, safety and skill come together atop an electric utility pole, it’s almost an Olympic moment.

Rarely does the public get a chance to witness the skills of electric utility linemen at work, but on Saturday, July 29 in Lubbock, pole climbing and other lineman skills will be a spectator sport. when fifty-three electric utility linemen will come together for the 16th annual Xcel Energy Lone Star Lineman’s Rodeo.

Beginning at 8 a.m. and lasting past lunch, the competition will feature contests in two traditional line competitions and three mystery events. The top three Xcel Energy Texas and New Mexico teams and apprentices from the Lubbock event will earn a trip to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in October in Bonner Springs, Kan. just outside of Kansas City.

And what’s a spectator sport without a rivalry? New to the competition this year will be the first-ever entry by Lubbock Power and Light, which competes for electric service on a daily basis with Xcel Energy within the City of Lubbock. Add in the two teams coming from Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, and onlookers will see a real intra-company competition.

The rest of the participants represent Xcel Energy operations in Texas, New Mexico and Colorado, where there’s no shortage of friendly rivalries even among employees of the same company.

“Just like a regular rodeo, our event showcases and fine tunes the skills that are critical to the jobs these men work every day,” said Dwayne Marchbanks with Xcel Energy in Amarillo. “Of course the linemen representing Southwestern Public Service Company in Texas-New Mexico think they can do it better than their Xcel Energy counterparts coming from Public Service Company of Colorado, and you can bet LP&L is interested in showing them all up - that’s where the fun starts.”

Marchbanks said fun and relaxation is really what the competition is all about, all rivalries aside. “These guys have had an especially challenging season of major wildfires, high winds and other disasters that played havoc with our system,” he said. “We want them to unwind and have a great time.”

The event takes place at the Lee Dillard Rodeo and Training Grounds at the intersection of Indiana Avenue and the Clovis Highway (U.S. Highway 84) in north Lubbock. The public is invited to view the competition that will last most of the morning and into the afternoon hours. Soft drinks and food will be available, as well as games for kids.

Those who come to enjoy the morning will see teams competing in the Pole Climb with Raw Egg, Hurtman Rescue, and three mystery events. The pole climb involves a lineman climbing a pole with an egg in a canvas bucket, removing the egg and placing it in his mouth, knocking loose an existing bucket atop the pole, and descending with the unbroken egg in his mouth. Hurtman Rescue scores a lineman’s ability to rescue a 165-pound, life-size dummy from atop a pole and bringing the dummy safely to the ground, secured in rescue rigging. Mystery events are unknown events that cannot be practiced ahead of the competition, but involve everyday job skills expected of a utility lineman.

Teams consist of three participants - two climbing journeyman and a groundman. Scoring is based on correct work procedures and safety.  Operations managers, coordinators, retirees, foreman, qualified journeymen and servicemen will be doing the judging using strict criteria.

The competition also will include an apprentices division where individuals compete in five events: Apprentice Hurtman Rescue, pole climbing events, a written test, and two mystery events.

For more information, go to www.lonestarlinemanrodeo.com.