Arboriculture Climbs to the Top

Arboriculture Climbs to the Top

Saturday 18 October will see the 2014 Husqvarna National Tree Climbing Championships take place in Rotorua. Arborists from across the country, and Rotorua locals alike, will have the opportunity to see a number of World Champion Tree Climbers in action.

Part of the Asplundh New Zealand Arboricultural Association (NZ Arb) Conference 2014, the Husqvarna National Tree Climbing Championships takes place at the park directly outside the Novotel Lakeside Rotorua. Competition kicks off late afternoon on Friday 17 October with the Footlock event and continues throughout the day on Saturday 18 October.

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 – the Masters’ Climb – for the men’s and women’s national titles begins at approximately2:30 pm on Saturday 18 October.

2013 women’s world champion Nicky Ward-Allen will be contending the national titles. Nicky is also the current world title holder of the Footlock – a specialised event in the competition.

The eventual champions will then represent New Zealand at the 2015 International Tree Climbing Championships held in Florida, USA.

The Asplundh NZ Arb Annual Conference 2014 sees international tree experts Frank Rinn (Germany) and Jeremy Barrell (UK) as keynote speakers, presenting the latest in tree technology. Other internationals speakers include Peter Waddell, also from the USA, along with presenters from Australia – Ross Clark, Greg Fitzgerald and Bryan Gould. In addition, Kiwi-born Peter Waddell will present a talk about New Zealand’s Giant Trees in the ‘free-to-attend’ Tāne Mahuta Public Lecture at the Novotel Rotorua Lakeside, 6:30pm Thursday 16 October.

Kevin Burt, Managing Director of Asplundh says the conference is the largest event in the New Zealand Arboriculture and Utility Arboriculture industry in the country.

“New Zealand has long been the breeding ground for the very best climbers, practicing arborists, safety practices 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 industry organisations and clients of all sizes to build their knowledge, and for the public to see our World Champions in action at Saturday’s Tree Climbing Championship.”

NZ Arb National Tree Climbing Championship schedule

Friday 17 October 2014

Lakeside Park, Rotorua

5:15-6:45 Footlock Event

Saturday 18 October 2014

Lakeside Park, Rotorua

8:00-8:30 WELCOME & EVENT WALK-THROUGH

8:30-1:00 PRELIMINARY EVENTS

Work Climb; Aerial Rescue; Speed Climb; Throwline

2:00-2:30 MASTERS EVENT WALK-THROUGH

2:30-5:30 MASTERS’ CLIMB

ENDS

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