Tag Archives: Dinnie Stones

Jack Shanks and his Stones

By Al Myers

One of the great highlights for me attending the IAWA Gold Cup in Belfast was getting to meet Jack Shanks.  Jack is “Stevie’s Father” and the person who has inspired many of us to take on the Dinnie Stone Challenge.  Jack is an extraordinary man and it was an honor getting to meet him.

Jack Shanks talking to the lifters at the 2021 IAWA Gold Cup prior to the Shanks Lift Challenge

Jack Shanks talking to the lifters at the 2021 IAWA Gold Cup prior to the Shanks Lift Challenge

After the completion of the meet Stevie had arranged for a special contest for lifters to challenge themselves in the Shanks Lift.  The Shanks Lift is a fairly new IAWA lift named in the honor of Jack Shanks.  Two years ago when it was approved Stevie performed an exhibition of it at the 2019 IAWA World Championships that I hosted in Abilene, KS in which he lifted an amazing total of 330 kilograms making Stevie the first person to set a record in the Shanks Lift.  At Belfast, seven lifters took part in the Shanks Challenge under the watchful eye of Jack.  There was some great lifting, with Paul Barette winning the event, followed by Steve Andrews in second and Gary Ell in third.  Before the contest commenced Jack gave a presentation of how he trained to be the first person to correctly lift the Dinnie Stones 50 years ago (1972).   No one had been successful with Donald Dinnie’s challenge to lift the stones in the previous 100 years! It was a very interesting presentation to me (and one I wish was recorded so I could listen to it again) as Jack was very meticulous in his training plan.  He had rings made to match the rings of the Dinnie Stones and even attached them to training stones so he could progressively advance his training poundages.  The talk ended by him recalling the day he lifted the actual Dinnie Stones in front of a large audience at a publicized event.  I’m sure he was very anxious at the time to accomplish something he had put a lot of work into!

A few days after the Gold Cup Stevie took me to his parents’ house and I got to sit down with Jack and enjoy a nice visit with him over a cup of coffee and biscuits.  He still lifts to stay in good shape and showed me his personal gym in his garage which contained weight equipment that’s museum worthy.  I was privileged to see his training stones which he still has in his back yard.  They have shown the wear of years in the elements but still quite impressive in size and shape.  The total weight of his training stones are over 800 pounds!  Jack told me he was pretty confidant after lifting his own stones that he could lift the Dinnie Stones.  I want to point out that the first time he seen the Dinnie Stones was when he lifted them!

Jack Shanks and his training stones.  Pictured left to right: Stevie Shanks, Al Myers, and Jack Shanks.

Jack Shanks and his training stones. Pictured left to right: Stevie Shanks, Al Myers, and Jack Shanks.

It was a great honor for me to be part of all of this.  Now onto some good news – next year the Gold Cup will AGAIN be in Belfast and everything is planned to make it BIGGER and BETTER than this year.   Stevie is hoping to get more lifters involved in the Shanks Lift Challenge, and Jack will be there to oversee things once again.   I encourage all lifters to put this event on your personal meet calendar!

Frankie Ciavattone; Prodigy of Strength

By Peter Vuono

Frank Ciavattone lifting the Dinnie Stones on September 24th, 1996.

Frank Ciavattone lifting the Dinnie Stones on September 24th, 1996.

According to Greek Mythology, twenty-five hundred years ago, the evil goddess Hera looked to avenge herself for an indiscretion perpetrated by Zeus. The perfidious queen sent two vipers to do away with the son of Zeus. When the child’s mother, Alcmene, raced into the room, she viewed her infant son crushing with one hand, both of the vipers. It was the beginning of the legend of Hercules.

Super heroes like Hercules continued to inspire, teach and amaze down through the ages. Theogenes, Polydemos ,Samson, Peter Francisco and so many more showed their god-like might to the world. Here in southeastern MA., we have our legendary prodigy of strength in Frank Ciavattone.

At the age of 12, in 1967, Frankie was inspired by Olympian Paul Anderson and Frank’s beloved Godfather, Ralph. He was given a 75 lb. weight set and since the York Barbell Co. courses were the most accessible, Frank followed their instructions to the letter.

One summer while working for the town of Norwood, this East coast prodigy, at age 18 decided to push a fully loaded dump truck by himself! Tired of inanimate objects to move, he joined the wrestling team to garner a 32 and 2 career which would later, in 2015, put Frank in the MIAA Wrestling Hall of Fame. One particular training technique in his wrestling career that should be noted was his ability to do a reverse planche balancing on hands and feet with face up, with a full grown man sitting on his chest!!!

As one would imagine, Frank became bigger, faster and stronger with age. He dogged the Olympic lifts to give him 15 state Olympic lifting titles and 10 New England Championships!! It was here that a series of very important events occurred in Frank’s life that would lead him to becoming one of the greatest strongmen of all time.

Frank, in the summer of 1986 won the New England Strongest Man contest while suffering from strep throat and torn psoas muscles! It was at this contest that this author talked with noted CT lifter, Frank Gancarz. Frank had mentioned that he had never seen someone quite so strong as Ciavattone. Ironically, it was Gancarz who by promoting an odd-lift meet, would be the one to spark interest in Frankie of being a strong man. At about the same time, notable lifter Bill Clark let it be known to Frankie that there was an incredible organization called the United States All-round Weightlifting Association which sanctioned strong man type meets and lifts.

With Frankie’s new found success in Gancarz’ meet, he decided to shift gears and become a lifter who would be one of the most notable strong men of modern times! Frank went on a record rampage in the International All-round Weightlifting Association. Outside the Hotel of Potarch in Glasgow, were two enormous boulders made long ago to tether horses. One weighed 445lbs and the other 340 lbs. Each stone had embedded in it an iron ring of one half inch diameter; just narrow enough to get one’s hands around a ring. Strongman Donald Dinnie made the stones famous by lifting them both from the ground simultaneously! While competing in Scotland, Frankie became part of a rare fraternity by lifting the stones without straps!!!! As if this weren’t enough; back in the states, he proceeded to place himself in the pages of the coveted Guiness Book of World Records by lifting 808lbs strapped to his neck! !This record occurred   in 2005. It was obvious that Frank’s strength was incomparable and out of a liking for it he decided to specialize in one hand deadlifting which hadn’t been practiced to great degree   since the famous California strong man Art Walge.

Frank broke the world record in multiple weight classes and multiple age groups in the one handed deadlift making every lift official. He ended up with a prodigious one handed 562 in the one handed deadlift and 402 behind the back !!! It’s safe to say that he has been the most successful and greatest practitioner of this lift ever. So one would wonder just how this strong man trained on the lift.

Franks’s program is both basic and sound. He trained three times a week on the lift. One day he specialized in strengthening his grip. One day he would train on doing heavy singles with the lift and one day he would concentrate on a high set of   five repetitions. Like all strong men, he would accessorize his routine with assistance work of reverse curls, the thumbless   deadlift, and the Ciavattone deadlift.

This last exercise is a deadlift named for the great strongman in that it is done with knuckles forward in each hand and NO hook grip! It’s inconceivable that these records will be broken save for one thing; the strength of Frankie’s heart. It’s the only thing stronger than his amazing strength. His kindness, mentoring and inspiration deeply touches all those that meet him. So strong is this effect that just maybe one day, a young man or woman will be inspired enough to go beyond where Frankie left off.

“A man is not known by the size of his strength but by the strength of his heart”- Zeus

Dinnie Stone Gathering

By Chad Ullom

Group photo of the Dinnie Stone lifters.

Group photo of the Dinnie Stone lifters.

When I first heard from Stevie Shanks that he was hoping for a gathering of anyone that had lifted the Dinnie Stones to come together at Potarch I couldn’t have been more excited!  I got my Dinnie trainers back out and started working up to the full weight.  At some point in May, I saw that there were plans to walk the stones over the bridge!  I let my ego get the best of me and sent Stevie a message that I’d like to give the walk a shot! Just as I was thinking this was a bad idea, Stevie sent me the schedule with the rules.  A carry and drop would be allowed and you can continue as long as your hands don’t let go.

My wife and I really made a great trip out of this!  We did a great tour of Scotland, spent a couple of days on the Orkney islands and really had a great trip.  Even managed to lift the Dalwhinnie Stone a few days prior.  The night we arrived in Aberdeen we met a really nice American staying at our hotel who didn’t have a car or anything to do so we invited him to the Aboyne games with us the next day.  The Aboyne games were amazing!  As we were walking into the gate, we hear “and now her Majesty the Queen will douse the new caber with Scotch to officially dedicate the newly made Aboyne games caber…”  What???!!  The Queen was here??  The crowd was huge, so we never got a chance to see her, but on the news that night saw that, sure enough, it was Queen Elizabeth.

I knew the Dinnie stones were usually at the Aboyne games, but couldn’t see them anywhere.  We met up with Travis Willingham and decided to walk around after watching some the Highland Games comp and finally went to the overseas tent.  There they were!  We had walked right past them when we arrived but the crowd was too big to see.  The butterflies started right away!  Jim Splaine, Jack and Stevie Shanks along with James Grahame from Australia were posing for a pic right when we got there!

The morning of the gathering I could hardly sleep.   Our new American friend, Roberto, was really interested so we invited him along.  This really helped Tasha, because I wasn’t in much shape for conversation for the whole day!   As soon as we were ready to make the drive, the butterflies started.  We got registered and just started talking to old friends and making new ones.   It was great to see the people that showed up for this, Stevie did an outstanding job.  Terry and Jan Todd from Texas were there, David Webster, Bruce Aitken (maybe the greatest scottish hammer thrower of all time!) and many others.

Chad setting up for the Dinnie Stone walk.

Chad setting up for the Dinnie Stone walk.

The lifting started at noon and I was scheduled to walk at 2:50! The waiting was really tough!  It was even harder because a lot of people that had lifted the stones in the past were really having a hard time.  I was starting to second guess my walk attempt and thought seriously about just jumping in  for a lift.  As I was on my way to the car, Mark Haydock talked me out of it.

After the lifting attempts were finished, they moved the stones to the bridge.  They had us all line up and we paraded up to the bridge being led by a pipe band!  That was a great moment.  Luckily, I was second up so I didn’t have to wait too long.  There were mats laid out across the bridge and the first person to attempt, Brian Irwin from Northern Ireland, made it all the way!

Finally, it’s my turn.  To make sure I had enough energy to go as far as possible after talking to some people about, I was trying to pull just enough to clear the ground and move them.  For some reason, the light stone was giving me more trouble.  At one point, I dragged it to catch up and got a warning for this from Stevie.  If it happens a 3rd time, you have to stop.  I think I made it about 10 feet and my legs just gave out on me, I wasn’t getting any more clearance at all.

Travis Willingham, Stevie Shanks, Jim Splaine, Chad Ullom, Jack Shanks, and James Grahame at the Aboyne Games.

Travis Willingham, Stevie Shanks, Jim Splaine, Chad Ullom, Jack Shanks, and James Grahame at the Aboyne Games.

After two more attempts, Mark Haydock was up last and he really put on a show!  I had been watching his training leading up to this, and the only question in my mind was if he was going to try and carry them side by side the whole way!  In the end, Mark did the straddle like everyone else.  He completed the 17 feet in 1:40! About 2/3 of the way, he smashed the small stone into his right ankle and there was concern that he had really damaged it or possibly torn his Achilles.  In the end, it turned out to be nothing serious (thankfully).

This was such a special event to be a part of, I really wish Al and James Gardner could have been there, but each had other commitments.  I was extremely honored and humbled to be a part of it.  I can’t thank Stevie Shanks enough for putting this together.  It was conceived while they were making Stoneland.  If you haven’t seen that, put that on your list immediately!  It has been viewed over 16 million times on youtube.

Kettlebanding

By John Mckean

Steve Angell, one of IAWA's strongest ever, displays his own idea of leg training with handled weights on the Dinnie Stones!

Steve Angell, one of IAWA’s strongest ever, displays his own idea of leg training with handled weights on the Dinnie Stones!

Sooo, a Crossfitter and an All-Rounder walk into a bar (a healthful juice bar, of course!). The Crossfit fan can’t help but notice that the IAWA guy is a well seasoned muscular behemoth, yet strolling gracefully, being propelled by amazingly thick thighs. Mr. CF queries, “Really been hitting those “GOBLET squats,” mate??? You know, those modern leg lifts where you hold a fairly heavy kettlebell at chest height and do front squats.” Chuckling, England’s legendary Steve Angell replied, “Heck, that mild conditioning exercise won’t do anything toward building real body power, unless someone happens to construct me a 200K goblet!”

Seriously, though, big Steve did once try a few goblet squats. He’d been doing wrist curls with a 78K globe dumbbell, then flipped the chunk of iron onto his chest to see what this recent fitness fuss was all about. But as one who has officially straddle lifted 680 pounds and Zerchered 555, this tiny gobble seemed less than nothing. Mr. Angell concluded that such iron ball squats, often weighing less than 40K, would be ok for perhaps a few thin, developing teenagers or most “personal trainers,” but would never supply ample resistance for any serious weightlifter.

SAngellFor a 70/70 (wt. class/age group!) guy like myself, with each thigh smaller than one of Steve Angell’s huge arms, I’m not about to search for a 440 pound kettlebell just to START progression as Steve would enjoy doing! But his comments did get me thinking of new off-day, or “active rest,” heavy exercise apart from normal all-round workouts. Somewhere around the house, I reasoned, were a few various kettlebells, which I always considered to be just glorified “HANDLES with weight,” probably being used as doorstops. However, with sufficient numbers and strengths of rubber flex bands inserted through that ample handle space it would be simple to build almost any variable resistance that anyone could care for in an exercise! So, derived from a past practice of placing bands over barbells to create a heavier pressure, continuous tension lift, I developed my new experimental combo – “KETTLEBANDS”!

Well, it turns out that all I needed was the rather sturdy, oblong curved handle of the weighty old globes for the new format of flex band lifting to quickly prove its efficiency! Not only did the extra resistant apparatus cut reps way down to yield planned high intensity training, but at times, with proper banding, had the lift stalling before completion – a true isometric hold. Essentially, I had created a non structured “power rack” that I could use in my living room!! It also became an exciting challenge to develop new & unusual exercises that would benefit from kettlebanding.

One of my favorite new movements is the close grip bent over row – grasp the handle with overhand, underhand, or even cross grip (my favorite!), tramp on the inserted horizontal draped flex bands at your feet (adjust your foot spacing so just enough rubber will allow the lift to begin), and merely do some high tension pulls for 4 reps. Add another band for a follow-up set and just row to mid level (the stubborn additional stretch will stop you!) and hold 3 reps for a few seconds each, for max+ work! Another nifty manuever that seems to be positively influencing my more standard all-round lifts is the Straddle (or Jefferson) lift with a kettleband directly between the legs; again, determine the proper length of band to stand on, left and right, secure a cross grip on the hefty handle then simply rise steadily under this newfound form of tension. You can use heavier ‘bells and more or thicker flex bands here. If you get stuck, hang on for a while and enjoy the isometric! Of course, various forms of curls are a natural while using the combo equipment, and a unique application to the floor press – one or two handed – can be done by placing a band under your lower back, through the handle, with the other band end placed behind your neck; this one is great to quickly reach an iso-hold level which soon proves to be a “burning” method to overload the triceps! I’ll let imagination and ingenuity develop others for your own particular needs and interests!

No kettlebells around the house or gym? Simply obtain one of Al Myers’ sturdy iron rings (or stack two together for better gripping), place it on the center handle of a standard plate loading dumbbell, and build sufficient weight on both sides around it. Remember, it need not be all that heavy – most resistance should come from flex bands! Oh, a dumbbell will tilt and dangle a bit, but one’s fist will hold secure against the inside plate to steady the proceedings, while ring circumference will allow more space and freedom than a short db handle for a firm cross grip. One hand lifts and hook grips can come into play. But any style ring hold offers its own unique feel, challenge, and enjoyable performance. After all, ole supreme physical culturist Steve Angell didn’t complain as he 20 repped with those rings secured on the famous Dinnie stones (combined weight of 785 pounds)! But, hey, just imagine – had Steve carried a few flex bands to Scotland with him, he could’ve saved himself a ton of time by achieving the same workload with only 4 reps!!

All Arounders and the Dinnie Stones

By Al Myers

The Dinnie Stones

The Dinnie Stones

After the other days stories on Stevie Shanks and James Gardner and the Dinnie Stones, it got me thinking about how the famous Dinnie Stones have intrigued a number of all around weightlifters.  As I look over the list of accomplished Dinnie Stone lifters I noticed a number of USAWA and IAWA(UK) lifters who have lifted them. Today I want to summarize these all around Dinnie Stone lifters and give them a bit of recognition for this amazing accomplishment. I’m only listing lifters who have them unassisted (without straps) which is the ultimate goal (next to carrying them!).  Also, I’m only including those that have also competed in USAWA or IAWA competitions.

Frank Ciavattone (USAWA) – September 24th, 1996

Nick McKinless (IAWA-UK) – April 4th, 1998

David Horne (IAWA-UK) – April 5th, 1998

Steve Angell (IAWA-UK) – October 8th, 2001

Kevin Fulton (USAWA) – October 8th, 2001

Roger Davis (IAWA-UK) – June 28th, 2009

Chad Ullom (USAWA) – November 4th, 2012

Mark Haydock (IAWA-UK) – November 4th, 2012

Al Myers (USAWA) – November 4th, 2012

Stevie Shanks (IAWA-IRELAND) – October 3rd, 2015

James Gardner (IAWA-UK)- August 6th, 2016

Complete bios and details of these Dinnie Stones lifting accomplishments may be found on the website thedinniestones.com    I consider this now the official website covering the Dinnie Stones.

If I have accidently left someone off this list who has competed in an USAWA/IAWA competition and has lifted the stones, please let me know so I can get them added!

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