The Martlet

What do university students dream about? A race in which the winner receives at least 100 pounds of beer seems a likely possibility.

“Wife carrying” is a sport in which men race on a track or obstacle course while carrying a woman. The winner, in Finland at least, wins the equivalent of the wife’s weight in beer.

Although anything goes, there are three main methods of carrying: piggyback, “fireman’s carry” (over the shoulder) or the “Estonian-style.” The “Estonian-style” consists of the wife hanging upside down against the man’s back while he holds her legs over his shoulder and she clasps her arms around his waist. Only two pairs race at a time in heats.

The sport originated in Finland, although it’s difficult to say when. There are myths of a man in the 1800s who used to travel from village to village, stealing things and women. It’s said he used to carry the women out over his shoulder when he would leave. Another myth says that young men used to raid villages in search of other men’s wives — the “practice of wife-stealing.” Finally, a less disturbing hypothesis is that thieves used to carry heavy sacks on their backs to become stronger and faster, which somehow later turned into the sport of wife carrying.

While the origins of the sport are vulgar, participants seem to have left that unpleasant history in the past. Female participants often wear smiles and giggle as they’re jostled around. It’s obvious, but I’ll say it anyways: this sport was made for couples. The best part is that all you need is two women and two men, a place to race (anywhere really) and maybe some beer. One rule states that participants must enjoy themselves; however, it’s advisable to save the beer for after the race.

A man does not have to carry his own wife; he can carry a neighbour or friend’s wife, or anyone he can convince to participate — but she must be over the age of 17 and weight at least 49 kilograms. Some competitions state in the official rules that same-sex couples can compete.

Wife carrying is played in Finland, Sweden, the United States, India and other areas of Asia. Unfortunately, Canada is not one of the listed countries — as of yet, anyway. Major wife carrying competitions are held in Finland, and the North American Wife Carrying Championships are held on Columbus Day (Oct. 12) weekend at Sunny River Ski Resort in Newry, Maine.

It sounds like a joke, I know, but there are many who take the sport seriously, and, just like any sport, there are rules. The International Wife Carrying Competition Rules Committee states that the length of an official track be 253.5 meters and must contain two dry obstacles (such as a fence) as well as a roughly one-metre deep water obstacle. Participants are also responsible for their own safety, including insurance (ladies, wear a helmet).

Why this sport hasn’t been picked up in Canada, I don’t know. While the actual origins of wife carrying aren’t a tradition people want to carry on, the sport now simply seems like a good time.

DO IT YOURSELF: Ask a friend to donate their backyard and ask around to see if anyone has one of those blow-up kiddie pools and fill it with water. Find materials to construct a makeshift fence — it could even be cardboard. Then, decide what your third obstacle will be: running through sand or tires, or under a badminton net are a few options. Practice each of the three carrying methods beforehand, pick the best fit and get ready to wife carry. If you so choose, beer should be stocked in coolers before the race begins.