Heather Latter
The Ontario Strongman Series is coming to town as part of the 2011 Fort Frances Chamber of Commerce Home and Leisure Show being held at the Memorial Sports Centre next month.
“This will be the first ‘Strongman’ competition ever held in the Rainy River District and will feature top-ranked Ontario athletes, as well as athletes from Manitoba and the U.S.,” noted Luke Skaarup, a local strongman who is organizing the event.
The competition, which will run Friday, April 29, will be a qualifier for the 2011 Ontario’s Strongest Man competition in Toronto.
“I’ve been competing for four years and promoting ‘Strongman’ competitions for the last two years,” Skaarup said.
“There was an opportunity out there to put on a qualifier, so I asked if it was something the Chamber of Commerce would be interested in.”
“I wanted some new ideas and when Luke brought it up, I thought we should run with it,” remarked Chamber of Commerce manager Anthony Mason.
“I think it’s something the town will be interested in,” echoed Skaarup, noting people always are asking him about the competitions.
“It should be exciting, and I’m hoping people will want to come and check it out,” enthused Mason, adding spectators only will have to pay admission to enter the home show in order to watch the “Strongman” competition.
Skaarup, who is planning to complete in the qualifier here, indicated the sport of “Strongman” is relatively new but growing across Canada.
“It is now broadcast on OLN, Bravo, ESPN, TSN, StrongmanTV, and YouTube,” he noted.
Skaarup added it creates excitement with feats of strength that real people can relate to, such as lifting a car, flipping a huge tire, truck pulling, or lifting large stones.
The local “Strongman” competition will feature five events—the 270-pound log lift for reps, a 585-pound deadlift event, the farmer’s walk with 300 pounds per hand for 150 feet, a truck pull, and a carry/drag medley.
The event will be sponsored in part by Sunset Country Ford, but Mason noted there still is advertising and other sponsorship opportunities available.
Those businesses interested can contact Mason at 274-5773 or via e-mail at thefort@fortfranceschamber.com
In related news, the Chamber of Commerce is seeking students to help out with this year’s Home and Leisure Show.
“Every year we ask students to assist us and we’re doing the same this year,” Mason said.
“It’s an excellent opportunity for students to get their volunteer hours [needed to graduate].”
He noted the Chamber is looking for volunteers to assist with the “Strongman” competition, as well as with door admissions, floor ambassadors, and game co-ordinators.
“Floor ambassadors are basically there to help the exhibitors,” Mason explained, noting this would include manning a booth if someone needs a break or running to get things for them.
And the Chamber will be staging the always-popular “Plinko” game there again, so volunteers are needed to run it.
“It’s always fun and the more volunteers we can get, the better,” Mason said.
Those interested should contact Mason at the Chamber office, or Sandra at 274-3276, by April 21.
