When most people hear the term “Rodeo,” they picture cowboys atop bucking broncos, or ranchers roping bulls with lassos. But for linemen and their families, the word “Rodeo” evokes a completely different set of images –like a dummy being rescued from the top of a utility pole, or a lineman holding an egg in his mouth as he scales a pole as quickly as possible.
The annual IBEW 1245/PG&E West Coast Lineman’s Rodeo has been giving linemen the opportunity to show off these unique skills for decades. But in recent years, the Rodeo has evolved into a much more family-friendly event that’s part competition, part carnival.
“It’s like Disneyland”
A lineman suspended from a helicopter flew in with the flag
This year, the Rodeo planning team from IBEW 1245 and PG&E collaborated to take the event to new heights — both literally and figuratively — beginning with the flag ceremony. While the Rodeo has always kicked off with a lineman hanging an American flag on a pole, this year’s event incorporated a helicopter “long line” demo into the patriotic display. Instead of climbing the pole with the flag in hand, a lineman flew the flag in while suspended from a helicopter, and passed it off to another lineman, who hung the flag on the pole. It was a sight that few will soon forget.
This year’s Rodeo also featured a much larger and more exciting activity area for the kids. In addition to the climbing wall and snow cone booth that have been staples of the event during years past, the 2018 Rodeo also included candle-making, air-brush face painting, a green screen photo booth, cotton candy, a wide selection of yard games, a prize wheel, and bucket truck rides.
The kids enjoyed the many carnival-style games and activities
“My favorite thing about this event is how family-oriented it is. The kids think it’s like Disneyland!” said Lacey Doty, who brought her two young daughters out to support her journeyman lineman husband, Zackary, as he competed. “The fact that they get to come and see what their dad does every day, it’s really exciting for them.”
“Our linemen are working around 40% overtime, and they’re away from their families a lot,” said IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell. “For them to be able to come here and compete, celebrate the craft and have their families there… it’s a good thing.”
“We’re just out here having fun”
While the competitors at the West Coast Lineman’s Rodeo mostly work at PG&E, there are an increasing number of journeyman teams from other utilities. This year, the Rodeo welcomed linemen from Cupertino Electric, Rocky Mountain Power, Modesto Irrigation District, City of Roseville, SoCal Edison and Turlock Irrigation District.
Josh Klikna chats with IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell at the Rodeo
Josh Klikna is a seasoned Rodeo-goer from Turlock Irrigation District with an ample collection of trophies and plaques from him many wins. Last year, his team came in first in the municipal division at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, and they also placed third overall.
Fresh off a strong showing at the American Public Power Association Rodeo, where they placed fourth, Klikna and his teammates decided to participate in the West Coast Lineman’s Rodeo for the first time this year.
“It’s a new Rodeo for us, so we’re trying to learn what [the judges] are looking for, because we’re not used to their procedures,” said Klikna. “But really we’re just out here having fun. It’s a great time.”
Team “Shake-n-Bake” turned heads with their unusual outfits
Many of the Rodeo competitors get special shirts made just for the event, but this year, one journeyman team decided to lighten up the mood with some unusual apparel. It was hard to miss team “Shake-n-Bake” — comprised of Fresno linemen Luke Bogart, Jacob “Floppy” Hunt and Heath Hatch — in their eye-catching costumes inspiring by the comedic film “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.”
“The first time the three of us competed together was last year, and they said we had to come up with a team name … We were joking around and said ‘Shake-n-Bake,” said Hunt, referring to the team name from the movie. “We did the [Talladega Nights] hats last year, and everybody laughed at it, so this year we went ahead and got the matching outfits.”
The lineman wives competition
Another new addition to this year’s event was a good-natured competition for the wives and girlfriends of the linemen. The ladies were tasked with using a lineman’s tool called a shotgun to pass a full bucket of popcorn from person to person, without dropping a kernel or stepping outside the designated area. It was clear that the linemen enjoyed cheering on their significant others just as much as the ladies enjoy cheering on their linemen.
At the end of the action-packed day, the winners were announced, and few were surprised to see former International Champions Adam Beene, Anthony Albright and JP Richard take first place in the journeyman competition for the second year in a row. Apprentice Gino Brancato, who placed third overall last year, took home first place in the apprentice competition this year.
A heartfelt congrats to all the journeymen and apprentices who will be advancing to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City this fall!
Journeyman Team Competition Results
Mystery Event 1
First Place: Fresno GC – Patrick Luz / Mike Moreno / Justin Smith
Second Place: The Double Cut Kids – Adam Beene / Anthony Albright / JP Richard
Third Place: One PG&E – Jordan Chene / Dustin Curry / Tony Humbert
Mystery Event 2
First Place: The Double Cut Kids – Adam Beene / Anthony Albright / JP Richard
Second Place: Roseville – Phillip Hartnett / Kyle Geisser / Jimmy Wolter
Third Place: Fresno GC – Patrick Luz / Mike Moreno / Justin Smith
Hurt Man Rescue
First Place: One PG&E – Jordan Chene / Dustin Curry / Tony Humbert
Second Place: San Joaquin – Gerad Coburn / Dan Russel / Joe Galindo
Third Place: 1245 Sloths – Dustin Krieger / Josh Klikna / Mike Paterson
Pole Climb
First Place: One PG&E – Jordan Chene / Dustin Curry / Tony Humbert
Second Place: Roseville – Phillip Hartnett / Kyle Geisser / Jimmy Wolter
Third Place: The Double Cut Kids – Adam Beene / Anthony Albright / JP Richard
Overall
The Journeyman competition winners
First Place Overall: The Double Cut Kids – Adam Beene / Anthony Albright / JP Richard
Second Place Overall: One PG&E – Jordan Chene / Dustin Curry / Tony Humbert
Third Place Overall: Fresno GC – Patrick Luz / Mike Moreno / Justin Smith
Apprentice Competition Results
Written Exam
First Place: Michael Vaughn
Second Place: Brandon Branch
Third Place: Gino Brancato
Mystery Event #1
First Place: Gary Hoch
Second Place: Luke Isaac
Third Place: Brandon Branch
Mystery Event #2
First Place: Gary Hoch
Second Place: Gino Brancato
Third Place: Bryan Ketch
Hurt Man Rescue
First Place: Gino Brancato
Second Place: Alex Castro
Third Place: Brandon Branch
Pole Climb
First Place: Gary Hoch
Second Place: Tyler Block
Third Place: Gino Brancato
The Apprentice competition winners
Overall
First Place Overall: Gino Brancato
Second Place Overall: Gary Hoch
Third Place Overall: Rod Nicholes
Bucket truck rides
IBEW 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell
The winning journeyman teams
Photos by John Storey