We are delighted to announce the successful conclusion of the ESCFS 2025 (European Student Championship in Forestry Skills), which took place in Latvia from May 20 to May 24, 2025! This ambitious event gathered young forestry talents from 16 European countries, proving to be a truly unforgettable experience and showcasing the high level of skill and enthusiasm of future industry specialists.

The competition, organized by Ogre Technical School in close cooperation with Luua Forestry School (Estonia), AS “Latvijas valsts meži”, Europea International, Europea Latvia, and other partners, included intense skill demonstrations, knowledge exchange, and the forging of new friendships. Social media engagement and feedback indicate widespread resonance and excellent reviews from both participants and visitors.

Highlights and Achievements of ESCFS 2025:

• Diverse Disciplines: Participants showcased their abilities in various forestry disciplines. Forest work events, including tree felling, took place in Birzgale Parish, Ogre. Technical disciplines, such as fitting new chains, combined and precision bucking, and limbing, were held within the framework of Latvian Forest Days at AS "Latvijas valsts meži" Nature Park in Tērvete.
• International Experience Exchange: ESCFS 2025 provided a unique opportunity for young foresters to exchange experiences, learn from one another, and build international connections valuable for their future careers.
• Promoting the Forestry Sector: The event not only highlighted the skills of young people but also served as an excellent platform to promote the forestry profession and foster public understanding of the importance of sustainable forest management.
• Latvia's Debut as Host: This was the 21st ESCFS and the first time it was organized and hosted by Latvia, underscoring our country's high standards in forestry education and sector development

Gratitude to Our Supporters:

A huge thank you to all the sponsors, partners, and volunteers whose invaluable support ensured the flawless execution and success of the competition:

SIA “Husqvarna Latvija” and SIA “Ginalas Latvija” – exceptional general sponsors with a highly accommodating and helpful approach! Thanks to the companies – SIA “Kurekss”, SIA “Niedrāji MR” and SIA “Sinda & VR”, AS “Latvijas Finieris”, SIA “Troja”, SIA “Rubate metal”, AS “Ingrid D”, SIA “Vecvagari M”, SIA “Kongs” / SIA “4C”, SIA “Stiga RM”, SIA “Wurth”, SIA “R Grupa”, SIA “A.M.L. Rāmavas Biznesa centrs”, SIA “Saimnieks LV”, SIA “Fazer Latvija”, association “Siera klubs”, SIA “Markol” (Zaķumuižas ūdens), SIA “Karameļu darbnīca”, SIA “Baltic Agro Machinery”, SIA “Haitek Latvija”, Kalsnava Forestry Research Station, SIA “Intrac Latvija”, SIA “Kafijas pasaule”, Youth Brass Band "Sudrabskaņa", National Guard 54th Combat Support Battalion, SIA “LogVer”, AS

#ESCFS2025 #MeetTheTeams #TrainingForVictory

As we gear up for the European Student Championship in Forestry Skills 2025, it's time to introduce the powerhouse from Austria – LFS Goldbrunnhof!

About the School:
For over 120 years, the Agricultural Technical School Goldbrunnhof has been a cornerstone of forest and agricultural education in Carinthia. Known for its hands-on and future-oriented forestry program, students train in the school’s own forest using modern methods like video analysis and time tracking.

The Champions:

• Lorenz Katz – All-rounder & Austrian champion
• Benjamin Lipnik – Precision-focused & driven
• Max Kampl – Chain fitting expert
• Luca Einspieler – Bucking perfectionist
• Alexander Varch – Logistics lead & reserve

Training Like Pros:
Led by expert coach Martin Weiß – a current Austrian champion and strategy specialist – the team trains with real competition simulations, emphasizing technique, speed, safety, and endurance.

Coach’s Words of Wisdom:

“The focus is always on the set goal.”

Fun Fact:
This tight-knit team knows how to balance hard work with good fun – unity is their secret weapon!

Country: Luxembourg
School: Lycée Technique Agricole Gilsdorf
About the School: The Forestry program started around 2001 in the only vocational agricultural high school in Luxembourg. In our school, you can learn many green jobs like agricultural technician, landscape gardener, florist, land machine mechanic, forest and environmental technician, or worker. Nowadays, the forestry sector in our school is one of the most popular ones with the most students. For further information, visit our homepage www.lta.lu
Team Members:
From left to right

• Louis Majeres (1st competition)
• Marc Frieden (competitor, 1st competition)
• Gwenaël Willems (1st competition)
• Yara Stemper (1st competition)
• Kiara Wolff (1st competition)

Preparation: We practice once a week every Wednesday. We try our best to be competitive, but we don't have the forestry competition culture as in Austria, Latvia, and Slovenia.
Fun Fact: We don't have competitions between different schools, due the fact that we are the only school offering education for forestry jobs. So we sent only the very best forestry students from Luxembourg. Ah, from the north to south border, Luxembourg is 82 km an east to west 54 km. We have 90000 ha forest an Napolean called Luxembourg “Département de la forêt” the “forest district”. Besides Luxembourgish, every student learns other languages at school: French, German, and English.

Country: Norway
School: Kongsberg, Saggrenda ,high school
About the School: In Norway, we have about 30 schools where students can study different subjects in nature. Examples include reindeer, sea fishing, agriculture, hunting, and, of course, forestry. Kongsberg Saggrenda forestry line is 60 years old this year. Saggrenda is an institution in Norwegian forestry.
The forestry program is the main subject in the school. Students from Saggrenda have many times been participants in the ESCFS Championship.
Boy Team Members:

• Per Håkon Greni Dystland
• Isak Pletan
• Amund Halland Simensen
• Sondre Jaavaal
  Team Members:
• Anna Louise Hoel
• Julie Heiberg
• Mia Gangaas
• Clara Johansen

Preparation: Training at school and in free time.
Fun Fact:
Einar Andreas Sinstad is the coach of the Boys Team. He has been a participant in the ESCFS Championship 2019. (Sweden) and is one of the best male competitors in Norway today. He has been Norwegian champion two times as a junior and once as time senior. He was also a coach/leader in Romania 2024. Einar Andreas Skinstad is also a member of the national chainsaw team.
Helene Bossum is the girl teams coach. She has been a participant i two ESCFS Championships and is one of the best female competitors in Norway today. In Romanian 2024, Helene won the limbing skills.

Representing the Bavarian State School of Forestry in Lohr am Main, these six dedicated young professionals are preparing to showcase their elite skills at the European Forestry Skills Championships!

About the School
Known as the Bayerische Technikerschule für Waldwirtschaft, this unique, state-run forestry school offers a free, two-year full-time program to become a State-Certified Forestry Technician. Students bring real-world experience and leave prepared for leadership roles in forestry across public and private sectors.

Meet the Team:

Joe Engel (21) from Runkel
Started forestry work at 16 and spent four years in the field before beginning his technician training. He trains weekly in all five competitive cutting disciplines.
Fun Fact: Thursdays are for class bonding—sports, games, and laughs!

Julian Rieg (23)
Completed his apprenticeship in 2021 and worked three years with BaySF. Loves the focus on precision in championship training.
Fun Fact: In Germany, most forest owners manage less than 5 hectares—manual skills still rule!

Kilian Lausch
Worked as a lumberjack for four years after his apprenticeship. Trains weekly with practice trunks and precision drills.
Guiding Principle: "Always on time. Celebrate as the job allows. Finish on time. Safety first."

Benedikt Lehner (23) from Kaufbeuren
Favorite discipline: precision pelleting. Always in good spirits—and open to a beer!

Leonhard Waibel (22) from Ebersbach
Still peels bark beetle-infested trees by hand! Dedicated and deeply rooted in forestry tradition.

Led by Team Leader Georg Süß, the group is intensely preparing—focusing on both practical skills and theory—to represent Germany with pride. And yes, they’re very excited about visiting Latvia…and maybe spotting a moose!

#TeamGermany #ForestryChampionship #BavarianForesters #SustainableSkills #ChainsawChampions #LohrForestrySchool #PrecisionMatters #ForestFuture

Country: Spain
Europea-Spain
About the School: EA del Solsonès, founded over 50 years ago in Olius, Catalonia, offers practical education in agriculture, livestock, and forestry. It provides higher vocational degrees in Forest Management and Rural Landscape, continuous training and hands-on experience in its 80-hectare forestry school. The forestry program of Escola Agrària del Solsonès in Catalonia focuses on sustainable forest management, blending traditional methods with modern practices. It aims to preserve the region’s woodlands, support local communities, and promote economic growth through timber, biodiversity, and nature-based tourism.
About the School: EFA Malvesía, the school was founded 60 years ago for people from the rural areas who wanted to pursue studies in vocational training in agriculture, landscape, poultry, and forestry management. etc. The center is placed in the middle of one area, very close to the agricultural and forest areas. We have an area where students can complete their practices and improve their skills in a protected environment with lots of Mediterranean vegetation and a very rich biodiversity. Apart from that, the principal problem is the fire forest, so we prepare the mountains to prevent this issue.
About the School: EFA Quintanes, located in the heart of rural Catalonia, has been a leading institution in forestry and environmental education since 1975. With a strong focus on hands-on learning, safety, and sustainability, the school prepares students to become skilled professionals in forestry, agriculture, and environmental management.
About the School: EA del Pirineu is a public training center, dependent on the Agricultural Training Service (SFA) of the Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food (DARP) of the Generalitat de Catalunya, which teaches specific professional training, the incorporation of young people, continuing education courses and technology transfer conferences. The main areas of action of the school are: Mountain agroforestry systems, Equestrian, and Cheesemaking. The initial forestry training that we have been providing with the CFGM for the Use and Conservation of the Natural Environment must, in the future, be aimed at ensuring that our students achieve the knowledge and professional qualifications necessary to be able to work in companies in the forestry sector.

Team Members:
● Yannick Franken– competitor (EA Pirineu)
● David Gil – competitor (EFA Malvesia)
● Sergi Martínez- competitor (Escola Agràrai del Solsonès)
● Eudald Ridao Badia – competitor (EFA Quintanes)
Preparation: The team is preparing for the forestry competition by focusing on precision and efficiency in each discipline. Special training includes mastering techniques for tree identification, perfecting precision cuts in logs, and familiarizing oneself with forestry tools,
particularly chainsaws, among other things. They are also practicing under time pressure to simulate competition conditions. Strategies include reviewing the rules and guidelines carefully, improving teamwork, and seeking feedback to refine their skills for the best possible performance.
Fun Fact: The "Raiers" tradition in Catalonia is all about the old practice of floating timber down rivers from the mountain forests to sawmills. For centuries, raiers, or river loggers, used their deep knowledge of the rivers and currents to transport logs. It was a vital part of the local economy and way of life. Today, the tradition is still remembered and celebrated in some areas with festivals that honor this unique connection between people and nature

The competition is approaching fast, and we want to introduce all participating teams!  

Country: POLAND 
School: Interschool Team Poland  
About the School: There are about 40 forestry schools in Poland, including 11 large forestry schools with a technical profile. Studying at a forestry technical school in Poland lasts 5 years and ends with a vocational examination and a secondary school leaving exam.  
Team Members: 

• Kamil Szarmach—Team leader, active competitor. He has participated in the lumberjack world championships six times with the Polish national team and has been leading the school team since 2014. 

Preparation: First, we practice precision, and then cutting speed. We practice once a week after school in the forest and under a shelter.  
Fun Fact: Students cut better when the teacher is not looking  

#ESCFS2025 #MeetTheTeams  #TrainingForVictory