KNYSNA NEWS - The first contest of its kind in South Africa, the Toughest Firefighters Obstacle Course for Schoolchildren, drew nearly 150 learners from primary schools to the Loerie Park Sports Grounds in Knysna on Friday 29 November.

The event was organised by firefighters from the Knysna Fire Department, who regularly hold firefighting displays at schools in the region.

Firefighters Marvin Claasen and Wayne Jacobs, with the support of their colleagues, focused on bringing about the contest.

'Told to come up with idea'

"Our shift leader said we must come up with another idea for public education (at schools), and so this event is what we decided on," Claasen said before the start of proceedings.

Jacobs said: "The excitement from children when they see a firefighter lights up our lives, and for us, going to different schools is education for our community, and it also teaches children discipline."

Learners from Thembelitsha Primary School, Concordia Primary School, Fraaisig Primary School, Sedgefield Primary School, Karatara Primary School, Rheenendal Primary School, Knysna Primary School, Hornlee Primary School and Trinity Primary School were among schools participating in the contest.

'Positive impact'

"It's (event) going to make a positive impact on them, and now that they are together with other kids, it's going to boost their self-esteem," Ndumi Mfecane of Trinity Primary said of the school's Grade 7 learners with her.

Shene Geland, a life orientation teacher at Hornlee Primary, said for the learners with her, the contest was "an excellent opportunity for them as some of them would also like to be firefighters one day".

Obstacles laid out

After a heartfelt prayer, learners gathered excitedly near the edge of a sports field, where obstacles were laid out and constructed, consisting of a hose for fighting fires that had to be dragged to a point for "target practice", a hose that had to be carried, ladders that had to be carefully crossed, a series of tyres of which each had to be methodically jumped into and out of, a tunnel that had to be crawled through, 10-litre water cans that had to be filled, and a dummy of a firefighter that had to be dragged to "safety".

Hornlee Primary teacher Shene Geland, holding the trophy the school's team received for winning the team category, sits in front of the victorious learners.

Individual, team categories

Learners negotiated the obstacle course individually and in school teams of 12, and after keen participation in the team category, the Hornlee Primary team was announced as the winning team, receiving a prize of R2 000 and other prizes from sponsors.

In the individual category, Whelan Maxim of Knysna Primary was named the Toughest Firefighter, and Knysna Primary also won the Team Spirit award.

'Looking forward to next event'

"The learners enjoyed it (contest); it was a great initiative from the firefighters who organised it," Knysna Primary teacher Juandre Digue said.

Obstacle course challenge under way

Firefighter Claasen said the event was a resounding success and it would be again held next year.

"We're looking forward to next year - we're going to upgrade the course," he said.

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