Professional drivers in Waterloo Region went head-to-head once again in a competition of dexterity, determination and dedication to their craft. The Transportation Professionals of Waterloo Region held their annual Truck Roadeo on Thursday along Kressler Road in Heidelberg. During the competition, snow plow operators from local communities climb into a tandem axle snow plow and navigate through a series of challenges. “All of the best operators are getting together just to show their skills, exercise safe plowing practices and compete for what is an opportunity to go to the championships in Owen Sound this year,” Nathan Herrington, president of the Transportation Professionals of Waterloo Region, explained. Participants had to demonstrate their advanced knowledge and awareness of their vehicles. “A lot of different skills where visibility is limited and operators need to know the size of their equipment, know how it maneuvers and know how to position themselves accurately in order to operate effectively,” Herrington said. Although the day was mostly meant as a friendly competition, drivers learn what to do in real-world situations, such as carefully guiding a plow around parked cars. It is also a reminder about what drivers face while trying to keep the roads clear. “Every yard, every municipality has different struggles, whether its going from gravel roads to busy roads, urban to rural,” said Kris Paynter, Waterloo Region’s lead hand for road operations. “The more that people get involved in this kind of stuff the more it will let everyone know what we go through on a day-to-day basis during those winter months.” This year’s winner was Wayne Wideman from the City of Waterloo, followed by runner-up Dennis Jantzi from Wilmot Township. Paynter came in third.
