Saturday, March 20, 2021 and the 12th annual Hook and Ladder Enduro was underway. The week leading up to the event was stellar! Blue skies, warm days, light breeze, short sleeve type of weather. Then, as if to test the mettle of those attending, the wind blew, the cold came in and the weather gods chuckled. But neither covid nor cold could keep the stalwart participants from signing up, running the two courses, eating some hotdogs, and attending the awards ceremony. We had a good turnout this year despite all the challenges from the pandemic. Thank you all again.
We changed up the format this year, eliminating one of the motorcycle classes and Dads and Kids class. We had two motorcycle classes, one for “Varsity” and one for “Jr. Varsity” based on level of experience / speed / etc. It turned out to be the “Early Risers” class and the “I want to ‘SLEEP IN’ ” class. We now have one class for motorcycles and one class for the ever popular “side by side” class.
On the small course we now have the Powder Puff and Picnic classes running at the same time. It is no longer timed. You fill out a 3×5 card at registration and drop it at Teter’s Trailer while you are having a hot dog. These cards are drawn at random to determine the trophy winners.
This year’s winners are as follows:
CLASS ONE – motorcycles – blind bogey time was 50 min.
• First place – #77x Robert Vowels
• Second place – #58x Dan Dragotto
• Third place – #65x Curt Nicolitz
CLASS TWO – ATV / Side by Side – blind bogey time was 50 min
• First place – #207 Jeff Davidson
• Second place – #221 Greg Hillman
• Third place – #223 Tim Hillman
POWDER PUFF – all female riders / drivers
• First place – Deanna Lancaster / Natalie Reina
• Second place – Caitlin Lord
• Third place – Emily Bradford
PICNIC CLASS – You were all winners because I forgot to get the names.
A very nice surprise was in store for me by Dale Shrode and his merry band of minions. Last Oct I brought my Dad’s flagpole out to Hook and Ladder and Dale and I mounted up on the hill with Pascolla’s cross and the Jimmy Como bench. The pole was from the house my Dad built in Lake View Terrace in 1956, and as a WWII veteran, he flew a flag for almost 50 years there. Dale had mounted, at the base of the flagpole, a beautiful plaque commemorating my Dad’s service in the Marine Corps in the Pacific theater. It can be seen in the picture flanked by my sister, brother, myself and my wife. It was a moving moment for me and a testament to the sacrifices that all service men and women have made.
Now under the category of “Pass the torch” – As many of you know myself and Craig White resurrected the original “Hook and Ladder Enduro” put on by the Pasadena FD in the mid 70’s. We kept the name the same and the rest we made our own. I think it has worked out pretty well and I am proud of what we have accomplished. We have given back and carried on the LAFD tradition of family and camaraderie. Now it’s time to take a back seat and let some fresh blood come in and take it to the next level. We would like to officially announce that Tim Wuerfel will be taking over the Hook and Ladder Enduro. Tim and his family come from generations of firefighters and he understands what it takes to run a successful event. 2022 will be a transition year as we will work together with Tim and his crew. Look for some new faces that will probably include the Cooper clan, the Mayor of San Pedro, Marty Svorinich, Kenny (“whatever you need, I’m there for you”) Willahan, and maybe a Trophy Truck or two.! Tim said he would be “honored” to carry on the tradition and we know we are leaving it in good hands.
Craig and I would like to thank all the volunteers that have made this event so successful over the last 12 years. Without you all it could have never happened!
Thanks for all the good times – Bruce and Craig
PS – we have been talking about a Halloween Hook and Ladder in Oct. Maybe 29th – 31st. It would be a disorganized event that would include costumes, trick or treating around the camp and a haunted house (if someone volunteers to make one). Think about it.