In Play Magazine
The popularity of this unique sport continues to grow. January 2010, Windsor team member Darren Hillman participated in the first FIREFIT Dubai, United Arab Emirates Event. FIREFIT brought a team of Canada’s best competitors with a range of expertise in coaching, hosting and training firefighters for the competition. The first UAE International FIREFIT Championship was held in conjunction with the prestigious 2010 Intersec Convention held yearly in Dubai.
Darren Hillman - a seventeen year veteran and a qualified Captain, Darren enters his 12th year on the Combat Challenge course. Darren is the current over 40 Men’s Individual and Over 40 Men’s Tandem World Champion. He holds eight World Titles since joining the team in 1998 and once held the World Record in the Open Men’s Individual category. His goal is to retain his current titles and to help his teammates win their third World Championship in the Team category.
Jack Bailey - began his Combat Challenge career back in 1997 and quickly established himself as one of the sport’s elite. He held the Men’s Individual World Record from 2002 until it was broken in 2008, holds several National Individual Championships and was instrumental in Windsor’s Team success with six World Championships to his credit. He is excited to be back after a three year break and is once again ready to help Team Parker compete for top spot at World Challenge XIX.
Rob Fawcett - has been competing since 1999 and was part of the powerhouse Windsor Team from 2001 through 2006. Rob has five World Championships to his name and was a key member of the Windsor Relay team's success. Rob has a Top Five Individual finish at Worlds and brings experience and a competitive edge to this year’s Team Parker Construction. He is back for one reason, and that’s to help his team win!
Laureano Cordeiro - is in his seventh year of competing and is excited to be back with Windsor’s Team Parker Construction. He brings tremendous speed and strength to the team making him an important part of both the Team and Relay competitions. His goal is to hoist the World Championship trophy this November in Myrtle Beach.
Locky Gelinas - has been competing since 2006 and has become one of the sports strongest competitors. His goals for this season are to be competitive for the top spot on Windsor Team Parker Construction and to win his first Team Championship at World Challenge XIX in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Locky went back to basics in the off season and has come back in the best shape of his career and is ready to win.
P.D. Pinsonneault - is the team's newest member with 3 years of fire fighting experience. Firefest 2010 will mark his first Firefit competition and he is very excited to be part of the team. P.D. has set a goal of 1:40 for himself and with his strong work ethic he hopes to carry on Windsor's winning tradition. He will be attending his first National competition in September in Brampton, Ontario and then on to World Challenge XIX in November in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
ABOUT THE CHALLENGE:
The Toughest 2 Minutes in Sports ! As seen on TSN, ESPN2 & Versus, the Firefighter Combat Challenge was developed to showcase physical fitness and is about people doing their job safer and better. 3 to 5 person teams compete individually against the clock wearing full firefighting gear. The Challenge tasks are timed and completed sequentially.
In Canada, FIREFIT Championships has specialized in presenting firefighter events, across Canada since 1994. The competition has grown over the years and the tour has visited every province in Canada – with 12 events scheduled this year. Competitors come from every Province and Territory as well as the United States, New Zealand, England and Dubai. A 1 hour Canadian Championship show is aired on TSN, OLN & RDS. In 2010, the Canadian Championships will be held in Brampton, Ontario.
In USA, Scott Firefighter Combat Challenge® began in 1991. In early spring, the Challenge attracts hundreds of U.S. and Canadian municipal fire departments to over 25 events and has expanded to New Zealand, Germany, Argentina, Chile, and South Africa. At the USA regional level, competitors must complete the competition course within a certain time limit in order to qualify for the world championships. In 2010, the World Championships will be held in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
Windsor’s “Team Parker Construction” will be featured during FIREFEST at Windsor’s Riverfront Festival Plaza August 20 & 21. FIREFEST is the hottest 2 day, family event of the summer ! The event will bring large groups of firefighters, family & friends to Windsor for this South Western Ontario regional stop. Firefighters from across Canada and the USA will compete.
The festival will feature Corporate and Media Combat Relay Teams stumbling through the course on Friday night while the professionals tear up the course on Saturday. The KID ZONE will provide entertainment for the little ones. Proceeds benefit Transition to Betterness. This is the 9th year for FIREFEST which has raised over $50,000 for local charities.
