Carlsbad's Gas & Electric Rodeo

Instead of cowboy hats, there were plenty of hard hats at the annual Gas and Electric Rodeo on Saturday July 23 off Cannon Road in Carlsbad. 

More than 1000 front-line utility workers and their families were in attendance. Utility crews from San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E), Southern California Gas. Co. and other neighboring utilities demonstrated their skill, speed and safety.

Linemen competed in “pole climb” and “hurt man rescue” competitions, while natural gas workers went head-to-head in events such as the “hand dig,” “meter set” and “pipe cut.” 

Competitors were judged on how safely they demonstrated each task, with additional scoring on skill, workmanship, professionalism and efficiency. 

Winners of Saturday’s competition will have an opportunity to compete at the National Electric and Gas Rodeo this fall against other utility crews from across the nation.