2014's US Winter Log Rolling Championship, Half Moon Beach 

The trendy social media sensation of 2014 that was constantly filling up your newsfeeds was, of course, the Ice Bucket Challenge fundraiser for ALS research. Since the wave of popularity of ice-water-related challenges seems to be at critical mass  – with your ice fishing parties, your Polar Plunges, etc. – feel free to add the U.S. Winter Log Rolling Championships to the list. The event is put on as part of the Special Olympics’ annual Polar Plunge fundraiser. Two competitors stand up on a thick regulation-size log that floats in the frigid waters of Half Moon Lake, and roll it with their legs enough to make their opponent stumble and slip. Having a log rolling competition in the winter is a relatively new thing for the Valley, as the first winter roll was just last year. The ice is already cut for the Special Olympics’ Polar Plunge, so the organizers thought they’d seize the opportunity to roll some logs as well. The Visit Eau Claire Sports Commission approve $2,500 in prize money for “Elite” rollers and long-sleeved shirts for all competitors as a reward for braving the treacherous cold. All log rollers are invited to compete, so long as they raise at least $75 as a regular polar plunger through PlungeWI.org (select Eau Claire, then “plunge solo” and follow the steps). For more info, visit specialolympicswisconsin.org 

U.S. Winter Log Rolling Championships • Feb. 22 • Half Moon Beach, Eau Claire • Noon • FREE • (715) 833-0833 • specialolympicswisconsin.org