B.C. man wins hotly contested Stick of the Year contest with piece of driftwood from Cowichan Valley
A piece of driftwood from Vancouver Island has emerged victorious as the “Stick of the Year” in a highly contested competition that drew participants from across the globe. The sword-like driftwood, discovered by Marcus Barrick, a musician and author from Duncan, B.C., managed to outshine sticks from various countries including Portugal, the Dominican Republic, and Germany.
Barrick’s unwavering belief in the unique energy of the stick he found while wandering through the woods proved to be well-founded. Describing it as an “ancient energy sword,” Barrick showcased the majestic piece of driftwood in his official submission video for the contest, where he emphasized the stick’s powerful aura and exquisite handling.
Although Barrick remains discreet about the exact location of the stick’s discovery, he revealed that it was found in a river bed in the Cowichan Valley, situated approximately 60 kilometers northwest of Victoria. His passion for exploring rivers and rocks led him to stumble upon this exceptional piece of driftwood perched on a rock during a low water season.
The competition, organized by Official Stick Reviews, a popular Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube account dedicated to celebrating sticks, garnered significant attention from stick enthusiasts worldwide. The winner was announced by Noah Kahan, a Grammy-nominated musician and self-professed “stick lover,” who praised Barrick’s stick as truly fantastic.
In a nail-biting finish, Barrick clinched the title with 51.2% of the final vote, narrowly edging out a club-like stick from Poland. The Canadian stick initially had a comfortable lead until a prominent Polish Instagram account promoted the contest, resulting in a surge of last-minute votes for the runner-up.
In recognition of his achievement, T-shirts featuring an image of the winning stick are being produced, and Barrick is set to receive a championship belt from Official Stick Reviews. The prized driftwood, now mounted on Barrick’s wall, holds sentimental value for him, and he has no intentions of parting with it.
Beyond the competition, Barrick hopes that his victory will draw attention to the significance of forests and wilderness conservation, particularly in British Columbia. By showcasing the beauty and energy embodied in a simple stick, Barrick’s triumph serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our natural environment for future generations.
