Trial by fire awaits our fighters

Update

PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Billy Ocean sang about how the tough get going when the going gets tough, but a team of Bitou firefighters are geared to prove that there is more to this than some iconic pop lyrics as they take on the country's Toughest Firefighter Alive (TFA) challenge this weekend.

The competition, which is based on international TFA competitions including the World Firefighter Games and the European Open, will be held at the Roeland Street fire station in Cape Town on 20 and 21 September.

South African TFA organiser Mark Smith said the challenge is recognised as the most difficult firefighter competition in the world and SA's premier challenge, with past events having attracted over 100 firefighter participants from various regions.

The objectives of the competition are to not only build morale among firefighters, he said, but also to promote the profession. Smith added that the event also equip firefighters with the skills to perform at their peak and subsequently push the boundaries in delivering a better, high-quality service, and producing firefighters able to compete on the international stage.

Bitou's firefighters already proved their mettle during the last competition when they came home with the title of most-improved participants. One of the local competitors, Calvin Mabombo, was honoured with an award for showing "brotherhood" during the competition. At one stage during the event, Mabombo sacrificed his own competition to help a struggling opponent over an obstacle.

This year, eight local firefighters, including Mabombo, will be heading to Cape Town. Joining him will be Adriaan Swanepoel, Mpho Rakgwale, Bongani Yawa, Dazell Marais, Lindiswa Zitshu, Greshwin-Lane du Plessis and Nico Krigga.

Swanepoel said the team has been preparing for several months now and are mentally and physically ready to take on the challenge.

On the fitness front, the local firefighters have all joined CrossFit Plett and tackling some of the toughest workouts without hesitation – in recent weeks even doing so in full firefighter gear.

Swanepoel said the team struggled to meet the "station 2" challenge deadline during the last competition, but are determined to finish it under the time cap this time around. "We are going up against some tough guys, but this has been a thorn in our side since the last time and our goal is to finish it."

This challenge includes hitting a more than 70kg block with a hammer over a substantial distance, dragging a more than 80kg dummy over 80m and scaling a 3m wall – while wearing full kit.

This is only one of four stations that the teams will have to complete in order to walk away with the ultimate title.

Bitou firefighter Bongani Yawa in action during the Toughest Firefighter Alive competition in Cape Town last year. Photo: Supplied