Each year students enrolled in the Arboriculture program compete against each other in five key events.
Events featured are Tree Rescue, Throw Line, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock and Work Climb.
The competition gives students a chance to win prizes, with awards going to men’s and women’s division championships. Prizes are donated by community members and members of the Arboriculture industry.
Many students go on to compete at a provincial and national level with the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Climbing Championships.
During the Tree Rescue event, a climber must ascend a tree and rescue a, 200 lb. ‘dummy.’ The student rescuer must adhere to a set of protocols based on a specified emergency. This is a time-based event, with points awarded or deducted according to the protocol and emergency.
The Throw Line event is timed and tests the contestant’s ability to accurately place a throw line and a climbing line into the tree at heights between 12 and 20 metres.
During the Belayed Speed Climb Event each contestant is timed climbing up a tree from the ground to a height of approximately 15 metres where they will ring a finishing bell.
Contestants in the Secured Footlock Event must vertically ascend 13 metres in a tree by using the footlock technique. This is a timed event.
The Work Climd event tests the contestant’s ability to move quickly and efficiently in the tree and perform various tasks. At each station the contestant rings a bell. Bonus and penalty points are awarded based on safety, performance and competence.
