 |
travel / adventure zone
| The Adventure Zone |
|
|
 |
| Photo courtesy J2 Adventures |
The Heat Is On
Off-duty firefighters show their mettle in a red-hot adventure race
By Tracy C. Read
On May 9, some 60 kilometres west of the town of Sundre, Alberta, firefighters
gather in the rugged Rocky Mountain foothills to test their skills and
stamina against their brothers and sisters in the service. Call it a friendly
family rivalry, but when racers take their marks in the “Where’s
the Fire?” adventure race, it’s every team for itself.
 |
| Photo courtesy J2 Adventures |
In his capacity as a personal fitness director for the Calgary Fire Department (CFD), race
director Jay Arns knows that firefighters show up for each shift prepared to risk their lives
to save lives. For these professionals, maintaining physical and mental fitness and staying
strong, responsive, collaborative and adaptive in the face of all contingencies is just part
of the job description. Turns out those requirements are also pretty much a dictionary definition
of team adventure racing.
Through his company J2 Adventures, Arns originally developed “Where’s the Fire?” as
a fitness incentive and team-building exercise for the CFD in 2007. Now in its third year,
the not-for-profit event has achieved such renown that it welcomes participants from as many
as six fire departments in Canada and the United States. This year, according to J2 Adventures’ Johanna
Arns, they’re expecting as many as 25 teams as well as a host of spectators and volunteers.
 |
| Photo courtesy J2 Adventures |
On Saturday morning, supported teams of four (one team member must belong to a fire service)
set out on a 12-hour challenge that sprawls over a daunting 100-kilometre-long course. Mountain
biking, whitewater rafting and some serious ropework (ziplines and Tyrolean traverses are on
the list), rafting and trekking are all race features. A shortened seven-hour, 60-kilometre
course is also offered, but, says Johanna Arms, “Teams generally compete in the 12-hour
race as competition can get pretty fierce among friends.” Whether rookie or veteran,
all racers are stretched to their limits.
Pushing this challenge to the leading edge while keeping it safe, Rescue Essentials, western
Canada’s top-notch rope-rescue training company, oversees the rope section, while the
water section is monitored by Mission Safety. New this year: family and friends unable to
show their real-time support at the finish line can watch the race online courtesy “Spot” tracking
via Google Earth.
On May 9, tune in to watch firefighters turn up the heat in “Where’s the Fire?” And
as if we needed a reminder of this profession’s big heart, proceeds from the race will
be donated to the Southern Alberta chapter of the Make-a-Wish Foundation.
Visit www.j2adventures.ca
top
|
|
|
