Tree Climbing Competitions: A Showcase of Skill, Precision, & Passion!

Tree climbing has transitioned from a simple childhood activity into a competitive sport, attracting enthusiasts globally. Tree climbing competitions (TCC’s) provide arborists with an opportunity to demonstrate their skill, endurance, and technical proficiency within a structured and regulated environment. In addition to showcasing skills, TCC’s help highlight best practices and an exchange of education within our industry, along with fostering camaraderie amongst other professionals. 

The Root of Tree Climbing Competitions

In the year 1976, tree climbing competitions formed. The very first International Society of Arboriculture Tree Trimmer’s Jamboree took place in St. Louis, Missouri. The Jamboree was originally established to preserve the fundamental skills required to not only climb trees but to save a climber (aerial rescue) by utilizing a single rope. Since then, the competition has evolved and is henceforth known as the International Tree Climbing Championship (ITCC). In the early days, only four events took place, and later adopted the five-event format. The winner of what we now know as prelims, advanced to ITCC. Get this though; before it was throw line, it was rope throw, and before belayed speed climb, it was the body thrust speed climb! At a later date, the ITCC format changed, and in addition to the five prelims, the Master’s Challenge was added.

The Structure of Tree Climbing Competitions

No matter what chapter you attend, the format consists of the same five preliminary events, each designed to evaluate different aspects of the tree climbing arborist’s skill set. The events consist of: 

1. Belayed Speed Climb: This event is controversial due to the fact we don’t climb trees while another crew member tends our slack or belay us. Some would like to see this event removed from the ISA ITCC format and then replaced with something relevant to today’s climbing techniques. While that is a true statement and wishful thinking, this event is to test the agility of tree climbers. This is a timed event that may require smashing two bells, one midway and the final bell located at the top of the tree. 

• • Meh, I am one of those who thinks this event should be replaced, my knees and hands get smashed quite often from this event, so I don’t really train for it. Just give it hell when it comes time to go. Oh, and don’t forget to hit that midway bell if there is one, seen that way too many times!

2. Ascent Event: Focused on the climber’s ability to ascend a rope with ease and speed! Not only does it show the tools and techniques available in the tree care industry, but it also showcases the physical conditioning of each participant. This event has also seen its concerns with the tree care world. For this reason, we do not rush when assembling our life support climbing system during the everyday work week. Even with this concern, it seems everyone is after the world record. As it stands, the current world record for the men’s division is set by Chris Sallows with a time of 8.803 seconds, and for the women’s division; Jess Hammer with a time of 12.99. These record times were observed directly from ISA’s website.

• • Not much to offer in terms of tips here, other than practice A LOT! Personally, I ride my bicycle to get my legs into motion and it helps with my endurance.

3. Aerial Rescue: Possibly one of the most important events that not only pertain to competitions but also to everyday work operations. Sure, some things may be done differently in the event of an emergency when compared to the competition scene. Rescues may take more than five minutes; it is important to note that! Remember the cardinal rule, do not become the second victim.

• • This can be hard to prepare for if you don’t have a training partner. Sure, you could set a timer and train by yourself, but having those extra eyes can help pinpoint what is being missed to fine-tune your run.
• • Practice with the system you intend to apply at the rescue, but don’t lay all your cards on that alone. Have yourself a trick up your sleeve in the event it is set for gear incompatibilities! 
• • If you forget your ascenders, remember this; you can foot lock up the rope instead of giving up!

4. Work Climb: Possibly the most enjoyable event of the entire tree climbing competition! Competitors must navigate to predetermined stations within the crown of the tree to ring bells. Each station requires you to ring those bells with your handsaw (with the exception of one) in addition, two out of the four stations will require a little extra to attain bonus points.

• • Be smooth, quick, and don’t forget your audibles!
• • Use your lanyard the correct way. Meaning tightening up prior to pulling your handsaw and watch the orientation of the lanyard. The judges will be watching for efficient use and correct usage – if the only spot on the tree suitable for lanyard placement is above your waist, you may want to move the lanyard to your Forward D’s (correct tool use).
• • If you don’t think you can make the big swing, drop down lower where your movement will be looked at as safe and efficient rather than missing the swing and looking sloppy.

5. Throwline Event: Precision is key! The competitors must accurately set a throwline in the designated targets within the crown but pay attention to how the judge has set the targets in the tree. Bonus points can also be won at this event. This event can dictate and set the flow for the rest of your day. Personally, throwline has sunk me quite a few times.  As the saying goes, “Work climb is for the show and throwline is for the gold”!

• • A helpful tip, spike the eye splice or the bitter end of the rope with a DMM XSRE carabiner prior to walking into the ring, this will shave off a few seconds by creating a quick connection rather than having to detach the throw weight and tying on the throwline to the rope. 

  • After the climbing rope has been successfully set and scored, create a retrievable SRS anchor and send it aloft. Be warned, if the rope is not long enough to be retrieved, you will not score those bonus points! Have a team member or family member yell if it will not be retrievable and at this point, marry both rope ends together to create an endless loop.

  • Practice, practice, practice! Rather than getting fancy with tricks, TRY to ace the shots. Double bagging is great if your execution is flawless but if you are having trouble, pull them out and just re-shoot.

The top competitors of the preliminary events will advance to the Master’s Challenge, a secluded and comprehensive final event where the tree climbers demonstrate a combination of skills in a “real-world” tree climbing scenario. This challenge brings the worst in me, in terms of performance issues. I know I can do the work and move around the tree, not the greatest, but I get up there and work just fine. But the minute I step into that ring, I don’t know what happens to me, but it definitely screws with me. 

Getting Involved

Here are a few ways of getting involved if competing isn’t your thing. 

• Volunteer: Competitions rely heavily on volunteers for everything from event setup to judging. Volunteering is an excellent way to involve yourself with the tree climbing competition community and a great way to learn from fellow professionals alike!

• Spectate: Attending is free to the public, entertaining, and educational! At high-level competitions, you get to witness cutting-edge techniques, shiny new gear being tested, and witness firsthand the passion and drive of the professional competition climber!

Final Thoughts

The reality of it is this; tree climbing competitions are more than just contests or bragging rights, they are a celebration of the arboriculture industry and the driving force for innovation and safety. It also brings people together who share a love for climbing trees and a dedication to tree care! Will we see you at the next TCC!?