Tree Climbing Championship April 6, 2013

Have you ever wondered how tree workers get up into those trees that can’t be reached with a bucket truck? You will wonder no more if you stop by Richmond’s Byrd Park on Saturday, April 6. About 3 dozen of the best professional tree climbers in the region will be competing in the Mid Atlantic Chapter, International Society of Arboriculture (MAC ISA) Tree Climbing Championship. The event includes…

Aerial Rescue: Competitors are timed as they rescue a “dummy” weighing about 120 lbs from a tree. The dummy represents an injured person. They are scored on the skills used to extricate the injured person.

Belayed Speed Climb: Competitors on a safety belay are timed as they climb a tree for speed to heights of 40 to 60 feet. Once at the top, they ring a bell to stop the clock. For those unfamiliar with climbing, the term belaying might be unfamiliar but you have seen this before. It is a process of securing and safeguarding a climber by using a rope to hold the climber’s weight if they fall. Think Tom Cruise belaying the skyscraper in Dubai.

Foot lock Speed Climb" Competitors are timed while “inch worming” up a rope to hit a bell. Inch worming is the term for footlock. Think grade school P.E. and what we called rope climbing. But better.

Work Climb: Competitors are timed while completing 5 work stations in the tree. Each station is worth designated points. The time ends when the climber unclips their climbing rope from their saddle. Scoring factors include agility, safety, and speed.

But wait, there’s more! Family activities, recreational tree climbing by Riverside Outfitters, supply and equipment vendors, educational exhibits (about trees, of course), and food trucks .

This exciting, one-of-a-kind event begins at 8 a.m. and lasts until about 4 p.m. Free and open to the public!

Official Website: http://richmondtreestewards.org/2013/04/01/tree-climbing-championship-byrd-park-april-6th/