Tree-climb contest gets off the ground
Expert tree climbers are set to show off their speed, agility and precision skills in Whanganui today.
The 2021 NZ Arb Husqvarna Wellington Regional Tree Climbing Competition, organised by the New Zealand Arboricultural Association, will be held in the James Mcgregor Memorial Park and Arboretum, south of the Kowhai Park playground.
Arborist Nikki Ward-allen, who is based in Taranaki, spent yesterday at the park setting up the competition, which includes five stations to replicate situations arborists might tackle when they’re working.
“We have to prepare the trees and remove any major dead branches before we put up the stations,” Wardallen said.
“You have an amazing tree asset in Whanganui. There are some really good local climbers, like Clay Winter, and you have some talented arborists.”
Ward-allen trained as an arborist in 2001-02 and has been competing since 2004. A former world champion who has competed at multiple world championships, she holds a world record for climbing a 12m rope. However, for this event she’ll have her feet on the ground as one of the organisers.
It’s expected there will be 25-30 competitors, with about 10 people helping on the ground. Three climbers are coming from Blenheim and Auckland-based Tom Reene is entering the competition for the first time.
“Last year I volunteered [at the competition] in Wellington and I promised myself I will do it this year because I learned it was real fun and exciting,” Reene said.
“Everyone’s really nice and supportive. I even met some people I used to work with in Austria.
“You get to see how good other climbers are. I’ve already learned a new knot today from Nicky.”
Reene has been an arborist for 11 years, starting fresh out of college aged 16.
“It’s taken me all over the world,” he said.
The top four or five climbers from each of the regional events will compete in the nationals in Wellington in November.
The climbers will be in action from about 9.30am on Saturday, with competition continuing for most of the day.