Firefighter Throwdown to Debut at Firehouse World
The Firefighter Throwdown© is a new athletic competition being introduced at Firehouse World in San Diego, CA, February 19 and 20. With so many firefighters being members of CrossFit boxes, competing in Fitness Sports, building gyms at their firehouses or being involved in Combat Challenges, it became apparent that there was a need for a new event – something different and exciting, national in scope and specific to firefighters and their need for competition and athleticism.
The Throwdown has partnered with CrossFit SoCal in San Diego, one of the first boxes in the country to take a leading role in the growth of the sport. CrossFit SoCal will be handling the operations of the Throwdown, which means the athletic competition will be expertly staged, professionally officiated and the results all accurately recorded.
There will be $12,000 in cash prizes as well as a generous amount of sponsor products from Reebok, Hylete, Quest Nutrition, Bodybuilding.com and others. The goal is for the firefighter athletes to leave the Throwdown knowing they were part of an exciting, highly competitive and fairly matched event and that the accommodations were comfortable and addressed their creature comfort needs.
David Bowman, who is a firefighter, a CrossFit trainer and the “Over 45 World Champion” of the 2013 Scott’s Firefighter Challenge, is the Throwdown Athletic Director. Bowman provides the perspective of a firefighter, who is also a winning athlete. His competitive background, coupled with his operational knowledge, is invaluable in planning this top-level athletic competition.
Elkhart Brass recognized the value of elite athleticism amongst firefighters and has committed to be the presenting sponsor. “We’re not only passionate about our products and their performance, but also about the firefighters who use them,” said Elkhart Brass Marketing Director Eric Combs. “We support firefighters and encourage their personal health and performance by giving them an opportunity to showcase their abilities at the Firefighter Throwdown.”
Healthy alternative
The Firefighter Throwdown was also created to place focus on the issues facing the fire industry in regards to being physically fit. When the No. 1 killer of firefighters is heart disease and not the fires they battle in the line of duty, there needs to be a universal shift in nutritional and fitness behavior. The Firefighter Throwdown is the perfect forum for nutritional education and the sharing of dietary and fitness information.
Food consumption patterns, simple nutritional education on what to eat and what to avoid, and mental awareness of health and wellness all play a role in being an athletic competitor. Why wouldn’t these principles apply to the average firefighter?
StarKist Tuna saw an opportunity for nutritional education among firefighters and added their support to the event as a sponsor. As Laura Ali, nutritionist and spokesperson from StarKist shared, “Firefighters are true American heroes, and we are honored to fuel some of our finest during this year’s Throwdown.”
Cygnus Publishing, Firehouse Magazine and Firehouse.com are supporters of this new and unique athletic competition. From an editorial standpoint, they have made a commitment to further the message of improved health, wellness and nutrition among their firefighting audience. And on an advertising and social media front, Cygnus has pledged print ads and a full social media program to support the Throwdown.
Join us in San Diego, or watch the entire event online at www.firefighterthrowdownUSA.com, Facebook: Firefighter Throwdown. May the toughest, fittest, biggest and baddest win!
John Carpenter is the President of MCM Communications, Inc., a full-service marketing and creative agency. He has a personal interest and passion for promotions, and specifically, events. Carpenter is managing the Firefighter Throwdown with the support of the MCM team.
