Firefighters go for gold
A firefighter from Newark will join about 30 colleagues from across Nottinghamshire to compete in the fire service’s own Olympic Games next week.
Mr Jack Boas (53) of Hawton Road, Newark, will be representing his county at the tenth World Firefighter Games, being hosted by Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service to coincide with Liverpool’s European Capital of Culture events.
About 5,000 firefighters and fire service staff will compete in 73 different events and competitions.
Mr Boas, who is based at West Bridgford and is a retained firefighter at Newark, is entering the slalom skiing and the tug-of-war.
He used to ski as a child and, after a 32-year break, was persuaded to take up the sport again five years ago.
He was asked to join a specially-assembled international tug-of-war team for this year’s games by fellow competitor Mr Kev Ruane.
Mr Boas, a former British Kickboxing Champion, said he usually skiied only a couple of times a year, but regularly worked out in the gym and had been doing more power and strength training in preparation.
He said: “Whenever firefighters get together it is always a bit special and I am really looking forward to meeting lots of different people from the fire-fighting brotherhood.
“At skiing, I am very bad but very keen. And I am very competitive.
“I will do my utmost to bring something back to Nottinghamshire, although at the end of the day, it’s not about winning but taking part.”
Other competitors from the Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service include Mr Steve Smith (31) of Calverton, who will be entering one of the highlights of the ten-day event, the Toughest Firefighter Alive challenge.
He will have to compete in four events that reflect a firefighter’s duties. They are hose-running, an obstacle course carrying tools and equipment, a tower and ladder challenge, and a stair climb. All the events are completed against the clock and in full fire kit.
It is the second time Mr Smith has competed in the games, having entered in 2004. He is a firefighter with the specialist rescue team at Dunkirk Fire Station.
Another firefighter hoping to return with a medal is swimmer Mr Ashley Fullard (33) of Cotgrave.
He is a member of Calverton and Bingham Swimming Club and has swum competitively since he was a teenager, during which time he represented Nottinghamshire.
Mr Smith will be entering the 200m individual medley, 50m freestyle and 50m butterfly. He has been training up to ten times a week to increase his level of fitness and stamina for the games.
He said: “I am currently just outside the placing for medals for the games, judging from previous years, so it’s 110% every day at training.”