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It will be soaking wet in Wellsford whatever the weather this Saturday, November 25, when a wild and watery competition for firefighters is held at Memorial Park.
Wellsford Volunteer Fire Brigade will be hosting the 2023 Northland Fire Brigades Sub-Association Waterway Day, overseeing teams from throughout the north as they prime pumps, haul hoses, hook up to hydrants and spray vast quantities of water at targets.
Senior station officer Trent Jones says the event is the start of the Waterway competitive season for brigades, with medals and trophies for the winning teams.
“It’s the lead-up to the provincial comp, which will have teams from King Country north, then there will be a North Island competition in January,” he says.
Waterway challenges involve physical tasks that relate to what firefighters do every day, but requiring extra speed, precision and teamwork to win. The competition has been running in various formats since 1885 as a chance to test crews’ hose-running and pump-operating skills in a fun and competitive environment.
“It’s the bread and butter of firefighting, what everyone does – hose running, different ways of getting water from the tank to the targets and squirting water,” Jones says. “It’s good fun and it’s very good practice.”
There are categories for teams of two firefighters and teams of four, with competitors coming from as far away as Rawene in Hokianga, and officials from Bay of Islands and Whangaparaoa.
Jones is expecting teams from four brigades, but is hoping a few more might yet join in.
“We’ve hosted before, not that long ago, and this year’s a bit lighter in numbers,” he says. “In the past we’ve had six to eight teams.”
Jones says the event is still open to individual firefighters and brigade teams, and he hopes lots of people will come to watch and even be inspired to volunteer by seeing them all in action.
“Anyone is welcome to come on down and have a watch, cheer them on and have a chat,” he says. “And current members of any brigade are welcome to enter and have a go on the day.”
The event gets underway at around 8.30am and will run until early afternoon.
Although it clashes with the Wellsford Santa Parade, Jones adds that the brigade will still be able to take part in both events, so no one will miss out on seeing fire trucks on display.
Info: Contact Trent Jones on 021 524 537
