Havelock North hosts United Fire Brigades' Association Waterways Challenge

Ruawai Volunteer Fire Brigade's Jo Forsyth competing in the United Fire Brigades' Association North Island 2018 Waterways Challenge in Havelock North today. Photo/Warren Buckland

Firefighters from around the North Island showed off their hose-running and pump-operating skills in Havelock North today.

Firefighters from 13 volunteer fire brigades as well as a team from Linton took part in the United Fire Brigades' Association (UFBA) North Island 2018 Waterways Challenge at the Havelock North fire station.

Participants in teams of two or four competed in nine events including drafting water, using portable pumps and hose-running.

UFBA technical panel convenor Ces Pacey said the day was a complete success and enabled crews to extend their skills-based training in a competitive environment as well as building comraderie between the brigades.

"I'd like to thank Havelock North for hosting us."

The Waterway Challenge has been around since 1885 and the season is made up of four regional or two Island events annually and an additional national event every two years.

The teams were from Ruawai, Dargaville, Whitianga, Rawene, Ruakaka, Kamo, Havelock North, Wellsford, Feilding, Matamata, Silverdale, Carterton, Mossburn and Linton.