Local woodcarver, Brian Widahl has not only graced Cochrane with some amazing woodworking pieces but is adding to the collection in Powell River, British Columbia.

Securing an incredible second place finish in the annual Powell River Logger Sports Competition, Widahl is putting Cochrane's name on the map.

Last year was Widahl's first time entering the competition and the very first time he tackled competing; walking away with a second place finish this year has Widahl on cloud nine. "It's phenomenal, I missed first by half a point... so really close...but I'll be back next year and bringing a bigger game."

Leaving Cochrane last Monday (July 9), Widahl arrived on the northern Sunshine Coast by Wednesday, July 11th with his tools in hand, ready to transform one of nine blocks of cedar into a work of art. "Thursday morning we did our log draw and that is when we started. They throw the numbers in a hat and last year's winner was the first one to pick a number out and whatever number he gets is the placement of which log he gets to pick. I ended up getting the fifth log which worked out phenomenal because it was the log I had my eye on the whole time."

While some competitors practice their preconceived carving design, Widahl remained flexible with his concept. "This year I went with a little bit of an idea in my head but no plan to execute because I wasn't sure the log I was going to get. Once I did get the log I was assigned to, I spent maybe three minutes sketching on a business card to place everything on the log."

Thirty-five hours was all the time the competitors were allotted and Widahl used every hour possible to carve out his creation featuring a baby cub atop a tree reaching down at his momma and sibling. "There was a small window maybe a half hour before judging started where most of the guys were done but there was one gentleman who was behind and if he hadn't had it stained on time he would have been disqualified for an incomplete piece. So it was awesome to see in that last ten minutes when everyone realized and every carver rushed over and helped him out. It was amazing to see the sportsmanship between everybody and when you get the opportunity to get a group of carvers together it is interesting to see different techniques and tools used. Everyone has their arms wide open and everybody is there for the same purpose; to carve, learn more and do better."

Widahl walked away with bragging rights and $2000 in cash for his second place win but the experience was worth so much more. "It is such an opportunity. Everybody goes there to see the loggers, chainsaws, the cutting, and the art. It's a phenomenal place to meet up and a great place to sell a lot of carvings; I already have a couple of confirmed jobs out there for next year."

While the finished carvings are now the property of the City of Powell River they will eventually be bid on by the logging event's top sponsors. "So they will be placed back out to supporting businesses in the community with the money going back to the community and building funds to do an event of this scale again."

After seeing the success of Powell River, Widahl is inspired to bring an event like this to the Cochrane community. "I had an opportunity at one dinner after our event to discuss this idea with a handful of carvers and I have a very strong group of talented people who would be here in a heartbeat."

If you have yet to witness Widahl's carving talent live at an event, you can check out the bench he donated to the Cochrane Light Up Committee right in front of Centennial Plaza on Historic Main Street.