Just ask many of the 140 competitors at the two-day United Fire Brigades Association National Waterway Challenge, which began in Cromwell yesterday. Drought conditions meant many of the teams had been training ''dry'' - even teams from the South Island's West Coast.
''Our grass is even browner than yours,'' Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade team member Warren Rose said. The four-man team entered by the brigade had been training ''dry'' for the past fortnight because of water restrictions in the town. Primary Industries Minister
Nathan Guy yesterday declared the entire North Island in a state of drought and said parts of the South were also very dry, especially the Grey and Buller districts. Carterton Volunteer Fire Brigade team captain Wayne Robinson said it was the first time he was aware of that water restrictions meant the team had to train ''dry'' in the weeks leading up to the nationals. A Carterton team had won the four-person team event for the past three national competitions.
Association national president Brian Watters said the four-person teams took part in nine events and the two-person teams completed six different events over the two days. ''New teams - for them, it's to challenge themselves, for the older teams, it gets more competitive, but they're all the better for the experience,'' Mr Watters said. Cromwell deputy chief fire officer and chairman of the Cromwell Community Board, Neil Gillespie, said the reserve had not been watered for two or three days, but the extra helping of water ''won't do it any harm''.
Water for the competition was sourced from the Clutha but there was not a great deal used, he said.
''It actually doesn't use a heck of a lot of water.''
The competition was a great showcase for Cromwell and Central Otago and the visitors were learning all about the district's fruit and wine and other attractions, including the Highlands Motorsport Park, which would open at Easter, Mr Gillespie said. Spectators are welcome at the event. Competition begins at 9am today and finishes about 4pm.
