WESTFIELD-Beards and moustaches come in all shapes and sizes, and for two city men, their attention to detail recently won them awards in the 2017 Remington Beard Boss World Beard and Moustache Championships in Texas.
“I never expected it,” said Jay Cole during an interview on Friday afternoon at the Skyline Trading Company on Elm Street. Cole took first place in Natural Full Beard, 31-45 centimeters.
“The category is judged solely on length, shape and density in its natural state.”
Cole, founder of the Western Mass Whisker Society in 2014, was joined by Mike Adams during the interview who took third place in the Partial Beard Freestyle category.
“I was surprised to be in the top three,” said Adams, adding, “It’s a pretty big deal.”
Both men spent their Labor Day weekend at the Long Center for the Performing Arts in Austin joining 738 competitors from across the globe in a variety of facial hair competitions. The event was hosted by the Austin Facial Hair Club and the World Beard and Moustache Association.
Mike Adams and Jay Cole recently won awards during the 2017 Remington Beard Boss World Beard and Moustache Championships in Texas.
“The total number of competitors is being submitted to the Guinness Book of World Records to likely become the largest event of its kind,” said Cole.
Adam’s category involved close to two hours of styling his beard into a creative design that included passing beard hairs through a gauge in each ear to add to the intrigue of his signature look. He also uses a curler to ensure his moustache has a tight curl.
“When I look in the mirror I see an image and then I take my time to create the look,” said Adams, noting that waxes, gels, hair spray and a hair dryer are essential tools to pack when competing. He has been growing his beard for more than three years and learned about the competitions during a reality television series titled “Whisker Wars.”
For Cole, his routine when competing only requires about 15 minutes of drying and brushing.
“The competition is meant to be fun,” said Cole. “Everyone supports each other.”
Jay Cole of Westfield celebrates as he placed first in the Natural Full Beard 31-45 centimeter category at the 2017 Remington Beard Boss World Beard and Moustache Championships in Texas. (Manuel Gonzales Jr. photo)
The world championships take place every two years and attract international competitors and thousands of fans, according to Cole. The next championships are scheduled in Belgium in 2019 and in New Zealand in 2021. Cole is already planning on competing in Belgium.
“Competitors took the stage with over 30 countries represented displaying all facial hair types in 27 categories ranging from moustache only to partial and full beard to creative and even artistic and creative categories for women added in for the first time in the event’s history,” said Cole.
Mike Adams of Westfield placed third in the Partial Beard Freestyle category during the 2017 Remington Beard Boss World Beard and Moustache Championships.
Proceeds from this year’s competition benefitted farmvet.org, livestrong.org, and outyouth.org, while multiple live donations during the event were made to the American Red Cross for relief efforts to aid those impacted by Hurricane Harvey.
“Most competitions and events all over the country hosted by other beard and moustache clubs are charity based and welcome all to become members regardless if they have facial hair or not,” said Cole, noting the local society is also focused on supporting charitable causes.
The Western Mass Whisker Society also conducts social gatherings across the region throughout the year – and welcomes any beard enthusiast.
“We tend to pick places to gather that specialize in craft beers,” said Adams, noting supporting local businesses is important to both men.
Cole echoed those sentiments.
“Anyone is welcome – facial hair or not,” said Cole who has been growing his beard for 10 years. “The gatherings are social so people can have fun, make new friends, and talk about beards.”
For more information on the Western Mass Whisker Society and its upcoming social events, visit www.facebook.com/wmasswhiskersociety. The society’s next scheduled “meet ups” are Sept. 23 at the Hangar Pub in Amherst, starting at 7 p.m., and on Oct. 7 at the Iron Duke in Ludlow during “Harvest Fest.” Cole’s band, The Lazy 8’s, will also be performing during the Ludlow celebration.
“Our social gatherings are on a smaller scale,” said Cole. “We continue to grow. We are a bearded family.”
