Firefighters here from all over NZ for challenge

The Gizzy Combat Challenge at Marina carpark on Saturday will test the fitness levels of 36 firefighters from here and other parts of the country. Rob Graham from the Manutuke Hot Stakes is pictured in action at the challenge last year. File picture by Liam Clayton

Around three dozen firefighters from around the country will take part in the Gizzy Combat Challenge on Saturday in the Marina carpark.

The fitness challenge involves, among other things, scaling a six-storey structure carrying an 18kg fire-hose pack.

All of it will be on the clock.

One of the organisers, Rob Graham from the Manutuke Volunteer Fire Brigade, said most of the 36 registered competitors in the gruelling event are coming from out of town.

“We’ve got firefighters coming from Auckland and Wellington, Te Awamutu and Norsewood, even two who have just come back from Antarctica.

“We’ve got four or five locals doing it, but it really has turned into something of a national event.”

They will compete as individuals,  in teams and there will be a tandem event.

“They climb the six-storey scaffolding tower we’re going to build, carrying an 18 kilogram hose pack, and then down again, then rope up another 18kg hose pack.

“After that, back on the ground,  they use a sledgehammer to shift a 75kg weight on a sled two metres, zigzag-run through some cones, drag a fire hose 30 metres to squirt a target with water, and finish by carrying a dummy 30 metres.

“The firefighter with the fastest time for all that wins.”

Firefighter Graham said it was not about winning prizes.

“Bragging rights is the only reward for all that hard work.”

The competition begins at 9am Saturday morning.

“We anticipate it will take until around 3pm to complete the programme.”