It was big in the 1990s, but in 2019 the Rafferty Rumble is coming back to Estevan with even more attractions. The rumble will be a three-day event, from July 26 to 28.
The Force Competition, an experience brought to Estevan by Fresh Air Fitness, along with JoFit and Tash, has been added to the Rumble for July 27 from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Debby Knight and Peggy Rohatyn, co-founders of Fresh Air Fitness, say Jennifer Olfert of JoFit and Natasha “Tash” Tenant have been planning a lot of the event and carry most of the knowledge that comes with the activities included in the competition.
Rohatyn quoted Olfert and Tenant: “The Force Competition will be teams of two, both men’s and ladies’ divisions, four-plus events that will test your endurance, agility, strength and downright grit.”
Knight noted the events’ plans haven’t been made official as of yet, but said: “you might do a rope climb and be timed on it, or you might do tire pulls or tire flips.” As for safety, Knight said that Henders Drugs is going to have a medical tent set up somewhere on the grounds of Fresh Air Fitness, and are hoping to have an EMT on site as well.
“Early bird registration is on until May 30th, it’s $70 per team, and that comes with T-shirt and some gnarly prizes. Ages are 14-plus," said Rohatyn. “June 1st the cost goes up to $100 per team. There is going to be food and drinks, and prize bags. There will be a beer tent set up.”
Rohatyn and Knight founded Fresh Air Fitness back in 2017, and have been enthusiastic about getting people out of the gyms and into the fresh air. They built an outdoor gym. They are hopeful the Rumble will bring more people and their families down to get some of their exercise in. They run off donations, and encourage donations to Woodlawn Park to maintain the upkeep of the site.
When asked about their hopes for the Rumble, the two women said, “It’s going to be big. Estevan is going to be the place to be. If you’re in Saskatchewan, you should be in Estevan.”
