A record number of lineworkers slogged through muck during the 20th Gaff-n-Go Rodeo in Doswell, Virginia, north of Richmond. Some 50 three-member journeyman teams and more than 130 apprentices from 11 states were part of the largest rodeo in the East, organized over two days by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives. Lineworkers came from from co-ops, investor-owned utilities and contractors.
Co-op 101
Photo Gallery: 2024 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo
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Cole Shaffer of Shenandoah Valley Electric Cooperative trudges through water en route to a climbing skills event at the 20th Gaff-n-Go Rodeo in Doswell, Virginia, north of Richmond. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Organizers put up 58 utility poles for a record number of participants. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Jeremy Jenkins of NOVEC secures his work during a competition at the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Hunter Absher of Choptank Electric Cooperative loosens a nut as part of a rodeo event. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Gena Boarman of Northern Neck Electric Cooperative is up a pole during a dead-end transfer competition. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Brian Downing of New Hampshire Electric Cooperative gets set to ascend a pole at the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
A team from NOVEC is fixed on the sky during the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Grayson Crawford of Southside Electric Cooperative is at the controls during the equipment operator’s rodeo. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
This next-level drone can spray a 35-foot-wide swath with herbicides for co-op right-of-way maintenance. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Josh Murphy of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is intent on making repairs during a skills competition. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Christian Fletcher of Delaware Electric Cooperative readies himself for the hurt man rescue event. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
In a driving rainstorm, Jordan Watson of Choptank Electric Cooperative tries his hand at the hurt man rescue. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Griffin Harris of Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative is up a pole in the apprentice division of the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
Bryson Cooper of Horry Electric Cooperative is ankle deep in mud during a three-member event. (Photo By: Steven Johnson)
PublishedMay 28, 2024