Three teams of Central firefighters showed off their teamwork and firefighting skills competing in the annual UFBA South Island Waterway Challenge on Saturday, March 2.

Cromwell’s A team was triumphant in the four-person challenge, with Cromwell B coming in third spot and Alexandra’s pair of Zac Ryan and Aaron Thompson coming seventh in the two-person challenge. 

Along with teams from Cromwell and Alexandra, teams of firefighters from Rangiora, Lincoln, Wyndham, Westport, Lyttleton, Balclutha, Rolleston, Mataura, Greymouth, Akaroa, and Methven took part. Seventeen teams in total took part in the event. 

Cromwell B team was (from left) Crede Holgate, Toni Andrews, Connor Barnett, Jono Turnbull. PHOTO: Supplied

Volunteer firefighter of 14 years, and captain for Cromwell B Toni Andrews said the Waterway challenge is “so so much fun”.

“The first run I did I was grinning ear to ear.”

She’s done two seasons of competition and said her team has been training since late September. 

The B team had to bring in a replacement person at the last minute, Connor, and he had no time to practise, so they were happy with their third place.

“Half the fun of this stuff is all the friends you make.

"The camaraderie is amazing.”

Cromwell A and B have been training together, with the winning team having four years competing together under their belt.

Toni said she’ll be back again.

“I really enjoy it and I want to keep a team on the track.”

The challenge was held in Tulloch Rugby Park, Mataura on Saturday from 9am until 3pm, and involved 19 different setups covering rural and urban approaches to firefighting.

Hosts Mataura placed second in the four-person challenge, and first in the two-person was Wyndham A. 

Competitors have trained all year, some are highly experienced and some were new to the challenge. 

Standpipe Judges observing competitor’s technique. PHOTO: Supplied 

The Waterway Challenge is an enduring United Fire Brigades Association (UFBA) tradition, first introduced back in 1885.

It's an opportunity to put hose-running and pump-operating skills to the test in a fun competitive environment.

After the two island regional events a national event is held bi-annually, with the next nationals taking place in 2025.  

Volunteer firefighters are the backbone of New Zealand’s fire service, they respond to 85 per cent of all vegetation fires and make up 86 per cent of Fire and Emergency’s frontline workforce. 

Each year 20,000 fires threaten precious homes, businesses, our natural environment, and lives across New Zealand.

On Sunday (March 3) in Central, fire crews responded to a fire in a roof, a vegetation fire and a medical event. Read more: Central fire crews to the rescue.

For more than 140 years UFBA has been representing firefighters in New Zealand.

UFBA services support about 14,000 firefighters throughout the fire and emergency services sector by providing advocacy, skills-based challenges, workshops, and service honours.