Extreme arboriculture in action this weekend

This weekend sees the 2013 Husqvarna National Tree Climbing Championships take place in Queenstown, with a number of World Champions in action.

Part of the Asplundh New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZ Arb) conference 2013, the competition kicks off at 8am on Saturday 26 October at Queenstown Gardens. Preliminary events test competitors’ ability to professionally and safely manoeuvre in a tree, while performing work-related tree-care tasks efficiently. The final championship round for the men’s and women’s national titles begins at approximately 2:30 pm at Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park.

Recently crowned women’s world champion Nicky Ward-Allen and fellow Kiwi climber James Kilpatrick, a podium finisher in World’s, will be defending their respective female and male national titles. Both are also current world title holders of the footlock – a specialised event in the competition.

The champions will then represent New Zealand at the International Tree Climbing Championships, held in 2014 in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Fellow Kiwi Scott Forrest, current World Champion, has automatically qualified for next year’s event and will be in Queenstown to cheer his colleagues on.

The competition is part of the Asplundh NZ Arb Annual Conference 2013, which sees American tree expert Jim Orr as keynote speaker presenting on Hurricane Sandy and Extreme Weather Response Systems. Other international speakers including the Ascending the Giants team, also from the USA, talking about champion trees.

Kevin Burt, Managing Director, Asplundh NZ says the conference is the largest event for arboriculture-related business in the country.

“New Zealand has long been the breeding ground for the very best climbers, practicing arborists, and technologies,” says Kevin. “This year, the conference builds on this with new and innovative techniques and technologies being discussed and demonstrated.

“It’s an exceptional opportunity for tree organisations of all sizes to build their knowledge further, and for the public to see our World Champions in action at Saturday’s tree climbing competition.”

NZ Arb National Tree Climbing Championship schedule

Saturday 26 October 2013

7:30-8:00 WELCOME & EVENT WALK-THROUGH - Queenstown Gardens

8:00-1:00 PRELIMINARY EVENTS

Asplundh Work Climb

Aerial Rescue

Speed Climb

Footlock

Throwline

2:00-2:30 MASTERS EVENT WALK-THROUGH - Queenstown Lakeview Holiday Park

2:30-5:30

MASTERS’ CLIMB

ENDS

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