Gizzy Combat Challenge produces top times

This big scaffolding was set up in Reads Quay for the Gizzy Combat Challenge over the weekend. Participating firefighters produced some speedy times. Photos / James Pocock

The 50 men and women involved in the Gizzy Combat Challenge at Reads Quay on Saturday put themselves to the test, with some great times recorded.

The test of firefighters’ physical skills and endurance is done in a full firefighting kit.

They climbed the scaffolding stairs, heaved the hose reels and the “victims”, and attacked the target with water.

Jack Hawke from Paihia Brigade. Photos / James Pocock.

“The participants came from all over the region - from Hicks Bay, Te Araroa, Gisborne, Manutūkē and Matawai fire brigades, and from Palmerston North, Wellington, Havelock North, Warkworth and Blenheim,” said organiser Rob Graham, a Manutūkē volunteer.

“We even had two firefighters on holiday in New Zealand from Germany take part, and one of them, Meghann Kruger, won the women’s division.”

Tony Dench, a competitor over 70 years old from Havelock North, pictured dragging the hose to the target zone. Photo / James Pocock

Meghann Kruger, a visiting firefighter from Germany, took out the women's division with a time of two minutes, five seconds. Photos / James Pocock

The top time on the day was posted by Aiden Grant from Palmerston North - 1 minute 25 seconds.

Kruger from Germany completed the course in 2m5s.

“The best of our locals was Cameron Marr from Matawai, finishing in 1m 52,” Graham said.

“Top woman locally was Aadeline Bordet, also from Matawai, 3 minutes 20.”

Graham said the day went really well.

“Really good. It was an awesome event.

“It could not have gone off better, and we got a good crowd watching the action.”

There will be another Combat Challenge in February, a regional event, in Hawke’s Bay.