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April 18, 2015 10:28 AM

Czech competitive firefighting (known as požární sport) involves such events as the obstacle course and the tower climb, but none is more prestigious (nor thrilling) than the famous hose race.
posted by theodolite (8 comments total)

That looks really fun (and I'm embarrassed to say I've never heard of it before today). Thanks, theodolite!
posted by Atrahasis at 10:43 AM on April 18, 2015

Looks like a variation on the Firefighter Combat Challenge.

That ladder climb is pretty impressive. Is that a practical technique?
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 11:44 AM on April 18, 2015

I think this kind of comp isn't restricted to Czech, I've been to underground mine firefighting things, but the horse race? New on me.

You'd really think they would have dalmations.
posted by Mezentian at 3:58 PM on April 18, 2015

Oh, boy, did I misread that before watching the video before or what?
posted by Mezentian at 3:59 PM on April 18, 2015 [2 favorites]

As a firefighter, I have to give these guys props for skill and control. When someone opens a valve before you're ready, and you watch that bolus of water come rocketing down the line, the instinct is to leap for the nozzle and keep it from moving... not run with it until the water catches up to you.
posted by itstheclamsname at 4:54 PM on April 18, 2015

Also, this is as good a place as any to point out to DC-area MeFites: Fairfax County is hosting the 2015 World Fire & Police Games starting June 26. This competition brings in more competitors than the Summer Olympics, and will feature Firefighter Combat Challenge events as well as something called "Toughest Competitor Alive." I will be running in the half marathon and losing handily. Come cheer!
posted by itstheclamsname at 5:50 PM on April 18, 2015 [3 favorites]

That’s pretty good. Reminded me of the Royal Navy Field Gun Competition from 1997 (previously).
posted by migurski at 10:55 PM on April 18, 2015 [1 favorite]

Ha ha ha! I first read that as hoRse racing, too!

There must be a lot of force coming down that ho(r)se to knock those runners down.
posted by jillithd at 8:46 AM on April 19, 2015