BY MICHELLE PERRY
Feb. 19-20, 2011, the North American Tree Climbing Championship competition was held at Forsyth Park. The competition was hosted by the International Society of Arboriculture (Southern Chapter) and the Utility Arborist Association. The event drew in tree climbers, both men and women, from all over the country who competed to move on to the international competition to be held in Australia. It also attracted a variety of onlookers who had one common question: “What is going on?”
Thomas J. Mugridge, a judge for the NATC competition and former tree climber, was happy to explain the ins and outs of the tree-climbing world to curious spectators. According to Mugridge, the competition started in the late 1970s and later became an international community organized into specific chapters. Each chapter is comprised of climbers who train and compete to establish themselves in the international tree climbing society.
So what is a tree climbing competition like? Primarily, the most important part of climbing is safety. Mugridge stated, “Safety is the number one thing. It’s a very dangerous industry.” On Saturday, the preliminary competitions took place. Here the climbers were judged on how well they completed some safety exercises and other techniques that make a climb successful. For example, Saturday morning a foot-locking competition was held.
This is a technique where a climber shimmies up a rope to approach the limbs of the tree. Another preliminary competition was the Throw Ball, where the athlete was to throw a weighted ball with an attached line over the limb of the tree. This allows the climber to get a line set and prepare him or her for a foot lock.
On Feb. 20 the Master’s Challenge was held. The climbers were judged on how quickly they climbed and how they strategized the climb. A successful climb calls for the climber to navigate through the limbs of the tree and ring a number of bells confirming that the climber has reached the points in the tree. Lines and cables keep the climber safe while in the tree and volunteers stand by to ensure the contestant’s safety.
Master’s Challenge winners were announced following the challenge. First place winner for the Men’s Master’s Challenge was Lucas Drews with 237.0 points and the first place winner for the Women’s Master Challenge was Marilou Dussault with a score of 145.33 points.
If you are interested in tree climbing or arboriculture, visit www.northamericantcc.com for more information.
