Colt Breakers Stones
Intro: The Colt Breakers Competition
Every spring, we ignite the spirit of competition with Colt Breakers, an annual event dedicated to novice strongman athletes eager to test their mettle. This year, we're elevating the excitement with a unique twist for one of our featured events: the Atlas Stone to Shoulder. In celebration of the competition's vibrant energy and to mark the occasion, we've embarked on crafting a custom batch of Atlas Stones. But not just any stones—this year, we're bringing the competition's dynamic color scheme to life by infusing these iconic stones with a striking shade of red. It's a visual testament to the strength, determination, and passion that define Colt Breakers.
Pouring the Stones
The mix had a strong color as it was poured!
Kicking off the preparation for this year's Colt Breakers, I was buzzing with excitement to bring something special to the table. I decided to mix things up quite literally by adding a splash of Red Iron Oxide pigment to the cement for our Atlas Stones. This turned the mix into a deep, vibrant red, hinting at how eye-catching these stones would be at the competition.
I've used iron oxide dyes before, and it's always a bit of a roll of the dice. Sometimes the color comes out brilliantly rich, and other times, it's a bit underwhelming. But that's part of the fun – not knowing exactly how they'll look until they're out of the molds and ready to debut.
So, as these red behemoths cure in their molds, I'm left in suspense, wondering just how striking they'll turn out this time. It's a thrilling wait, full of anticipation, for the moment we finally get to see the fruits of our labor.
Stone Extraction
A few days of anticipation later, it was finally time to reveal the fruits of our labor. As I began the process of extracting the stones from their molds, a wave of relief washed over me—relief tinged with excitement. The colors, vibrant and bold, exceeded my expectations. The red didn't just show up; it made a statement. It was a pleasant deviation from the past where the hues sometimes emerged a tad muted. These stones, however, were different; they radiated potential.
The next step in their journey to the competition floor involves a simple but crucial touch—a single grind with a cup wheel. This isn't just about aesthetics; it's about performance. The matte finish and slight texture this process imparts are designed with the athletes in mind, providing that extra bit of grip they'll need as they hoist the stones to their shoulders.
While the grinding process might soften the intensity of the red slightly, I'm confident that the sealing and oiling will bring out their best. I can almost see them now, shining under the competition lights, their robust colors making a bold statement on the strength and spirit of the contenders. I have a feeling they're going to be absolutely stunning.
Grind for Texture
After allowing the stones a brief period to cure, allowing the cement to settle just a bit, I approached the next critical phase: grinding. Armed with my trusty grinder and a diamond cup wheel, I embarked on this delicate task, aiming to peel away the outermost layer of cement. The cup wheel can cut away stone quickly, so going slowly and smoothly is very important.
This wasn't just about aesthetics; it was a calculated step to uncover the aggregate within the concrete mix, imbuing the stones with the desired texture and roughness. Such a surface, I believed, would not only enhance their visual appeal but also improve their functionality, offering athletes that crucial extra grip needed during the heat of competition.
The grinding process knocked a lot of the red off of the outside of the stone and caused the color to fade. Despite the color's slight fade, the texture was exactly what I had envisioned—a perfect balance of roughness, intended to complement the sealant in restoring and even enhancing the stones' original vibrancy.
The anticipation grew as I considered the final outcome: Would the sealing process reinvigorate the stones' color, marrying the texture with the visual boldness I aimed for? This step was crucial, not just for aesthetics but for ensuring the stones' grip and usability in competition. The journey of crafting these stones, from mold to grind, has been a careful balance of art and utility, each step taken with the athletes and the spectacle of the competition in mind.
Sealed and Ready to Go
With the groundwork laid and the stones ground to the perfect texture, it was time to add the finishing touches that would prepare them for the rigors of a strongman competition. My routine involves a series of trusted chemicals, each playing a crucial role in ensuring the stones' durability and readiness for the challenge ahead.
The next step brought a touch of elegance to the raw strength of the stones—I painted our logo and the weights of each stone in a striking metallic gold. The contrast of the metallic sheen against the stones' muted red promised an aesthetic appeal I was keen to enhance. My hope was pinned on the sealing process, anticipating that it would not only protect but also amplify the visual impact of the stones.
Opting for a concrete sealer to finalize the stone-making process, I watched in anticipation as each stroke added a layer of protection and vibrancy. The transformation was nothing short of delightful. The seal deepened the reds to a more robust hue, making the gold detailing leap to the eye—a stark contrast that embodied both the spirit of competition and the artistry of craftsmanship.
As the final seal dried, my excitement to see these stones in action at the Colt Breakers competition grew. There's something profoundly satisfying about watching athletes engage with creations born from such a meticulous labor of love. Each stone, now ready for the competition, marks another chapter closed in the ongoing saga of learning and creation.
As I reflect on this journey, the set of stones now ready for battle carries with it numerous lessons, each invaluable in its own right. From the initial mixing to the final sealing, the process has been a testament to the power of persistence, innovation, and the endless pursuit of perfection.
This concludes our behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the Atlas Stones for Colt Breakers. Another set of stones, another set of lessons, and the continuous cycle of creation rolls on. I look forward to the competition with eager anticipation, ready to see these stones come to life in the hands of strongman athletes. Until the next post, here's to the beauty of creation and the thrill of competition.
