Bluewater youth tug-of-war team prepares to return to Europe

The Bluewater Youth Tug-of-War team will be returning to Europe in August to compete in the GENSB International Junior Tug-of-War Tournament, which is being hosted in Switzerland this year. From left are youth team members Bryce Jeffrey, Harlen Regier, Dakota Restemayer, Carson Vandenbussche and Grant Hoffman

By Dan Rolph

In Dashwood, tug-of-war has long been a tradition that has lasted generations through Friedsburg Days. That tradition is now helping send a local youth team overseas to represent both their community and their country.

The Bluewater Youth Tug-of-War team is gearing up to compete in the annual GENSB International Junior Tug-of-War Tournament for a second time, which is taking place in Switzerland on Saturday, Aug. 29. The tournament is hosted annually by the founding members of the organization: Germany, England, Netherlands, Switzerland and Belgium.

The team first made the journey across the Atlantic in 2025 to compete when the tournament was held in the Netherlands, where they were the first team ever to compete from North America. The team placed 12th out of 36 teams in 2025, and coach Rob Hoffman told the Exeter Examiner they intend to improve on last year’s performance when they return.

“We were happy,” he said. “Of course we wanted to make the top 10, but we definitely want to improve. We want to push harder and train harder.”

The team that practices in a facility on a farm just outside of Dashwood got its start organically. When the son of coach Ted Hoffman, Rob’s brother, wanted to pull during his birthday party, they quickly saw an interest in the sport.

“All the kids that came to the birthday really liked it, and it just sort of kept happening,” said Rob. “Then we got more serious.”

Bluewater has long had a men’s tug-of-war team, but the addition of a youth team has opened the door for youths from ages 12 to 17 to dip their toes in the sport and develop their skills in pulling.

“Friedsburg always had tug-of-war. We just remember being little kids, and we couldn’t wait to get old enough to be on a men’s team,” said Rob. “They didn’t even look at you until you were older and you grew.”

“I’m almost jealous that these kids get this awesome head start now.”

Now in their 4th summer, Rob said the youth team has been picking up momentum, attracting at times nearly 30 young athletes to their practices. He said that momentum is helping to create the next generation of pullers who can carry the torch and compete as adults for years to come.

“It’s grown, and it’s brought new life into the senior club,” he said. “It’s a hell of a thing to start a fire without coals.”

Rob said tug-of-war is a particularly unique sport that can teach athletes life lessons about teamwork and sportsmanship.

“It teaches them all that they can be a successful team if they work together,” he said. “There can be a gender gap or age gap, different sizes and statures.”

That same sense of teamwork has extended beyond the rope, as the wider community has rallied behind the team through fundraisers and donations to help cover the cost of competing overseas.

“It’s a big financial commitment,” said Rob. “Area businesses have just flat-out donated. It’s been really good. The community’s been awesome.

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

While reflecting on the experience of last year’s competition in the Netherlands, Rob said the competition will be every bit as challenging as last year as they face a roster of highly skilled teams who are out to win.

But even with a heated and tough competition, he said the tug-of-war community shows its strength and unity throughout tournaments like GENSB.

“When it’s said and done, though, there’s no fighting,” said Rob. “There’s no arguing like there is in other sports. There’s good camaraderie and sportsmanship.”

Rob said they often view themselves as ambassadors for the sport, whether they’re travelling abroad or competing locally, breaking stigmas about the sport that at times may face stereotypes.

“We’re kind of strict about certain things, but we’re selling the sport as well,” he said. “We want it to look professional. If we just saunter in and saunter out, people will think we’re just sauntering around. There’s a bit of a stigma that there’s a bunch of big guys and there’s beer involved. We take it seriously.

“At the international level, when you’re representing the community and our country, it’s important. You see the pride in the other teams from other countries. It rubs off on you and you realize why.”

Danica Jeffrey, a member of the team for 4 years who competed in the Netherlands last year, said she’s looking forward to picking up the rope again in Switzerland.

“I’m excited to represent Canada,” she said.

Three-year puller Miley Restemayer is also looking forward to competing abroad alongside her teammates.

“I’m just ready to pull against all different teams and get the experience of travelling,” she said.

With the team well on its way to another successful year, it appears that its future is looking as bright as ever. Rob said they plan to continue pulling for years to come, and they have their eyes on creating a full girl’s team if there’s enough interest in the community.

As the team prepares to represent Bluewater and Canada overseas again, the support behind them shows the sport’s future is not only by the athletes on the rope, but by the community rooting for them every step of the way.