Think rodeo and you think cowboys, horses and fancy rope tricks. When BPL thinks rodeo it’s all about linesmen, buckets and safety harnesses.

They may sound completely different but in reality they share very similar skill sets. Like strength, endurance, speed and the ability to perform in a uniquely stressful environment.

However unlike most traditional rodeo events, competitors in the Carilec Rodeo must work as a team in order to succeed.

And so it was under this guise that, for the first time ever, a BPL team led by Paul Tynes and Marcus Pratt recently travelled to Grenada to participate in the Carilec Linesman Symposium and Rodeo

As expected the competition was fierce with teams representing electric utilities from around the Caribbean all vying for prizes and bragging rights in events like Hurt Man Rescue, Earth Installation, Pole Speed Climb, Fuse Cut Out and the showcase event…. basketball.

Yes basketball, no hoops required but teams had to bring co-ordination, concentration, balance and strength as the four member team must balance 30 feet in the air while passing the ball to each other as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Despite no prior experience and competing against teams that had been training exclusively for over a year for this signature event team BPL showed great promise and raised future expectation with an impressive third place finish.

It wasn’t all fun and games in Grenada as the BPL linesmen took part in a symposium with the aim of helping linesmen meet the challenges of safety in a job that can be extremely dangerous.

And it is in this area that BPL really excelled…to the point of incurring the least amount of infractions for safety out of all the competing teams…a stat that had CEO Pamela Hill and team members beaming with pride.

Team BPL, represented by Nassau and Family Island employees, also found success in the classroom as each member came home ISPC (Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction) certified.

BPL Team members included Donavan Whyms, Francis Marshall, Marcus Pratt, Edly Sargent, Hermis Sands, Alriko Russell, Colin McFarlane and Paul Tynes. 

Left Rear- Edley Sargent, Collin McFarlane, Alriko Russell, Marcus Pratt, Francis Marshall Front left to right – Hermis Sands and Donnovan Whyms