Thirty (36) of the Chapter’s top climbers will compete September 19-20 in the Chapter Tree Climbing Championship with preliminary events in beautiful Drake Park located in downtown Bend on Riverfront Boulevard. This year’s winners will go on to compete in the 2016 International Tree Climbing Championship in San Antonio, Texas next April. Come cheer on your favorite climber!
Professional tree climbing competitions provide a platform for arborists to learn about the latest in climbing techniques and innovations in equipment. They showcase the highest level of professional skills and safety, providing a competitive learning environment for those working in the industry. Competitive tree climbing also introduces the public to the skills professional tree climbing arborists must use for safe, professional tree work.
The competitions simulate working conditions of arborists in the field. Male and female competitors perform five different events during preliminary rounds. The aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, secured footlock, throwline and work climb stations all present challenges for climbers to show off their climbing skills while putting safety first. Each event tests a competitor’s ability to professionally and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks in a timely manner.
The Chapter Tree Climbing Championship continues with top finishers from Saturday’s events competing in the Masters Challenge to become the Chapter Champion in both the women and men categories.
Last year, Susan Wright and Robert Bundy were crowned champs in Vancouver, Washington. They then went on to compete at the 2015 International Tree Climbing Championship in Tampa, Florida earlier this year.
Both days of competition get underway at 8am in Drake Park. Plan to spend the weekend in Drake Park and find out who will represent the PNW-ISA in 2016.
Wendy Robinson, City of Bend – Growth Management Department, 709 NW Wall St., Bend, OR 97701, 541-388-5598, wrobinson@bendoregon.gov
(Photo above: Drake Park | Photo Courtesy of International Society of Arboriculture, Pacific Northwest Chapter)
