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Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT Sonia Abney
(217) 355-9411 Ext 27
2002 International Tree Climbing Championship, Seattle, Washington
CHAMPAIGN, IL (July 26, 2002) - Vertical limits will be challenged this weekend when the International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) stages its 26th International Tree Climbing Championship at Volunteer Park in Seattle, WA.
The event will showcase the talents of some of the best climbers in the world as they compete for the title of world champion. Competitors from the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand will perform six different climbs over a two-day period. Each event tests a competitor's ability to quickly, professionally, and safely maneuver in a tree and perform work-related tree-care tasks.
"The events are meant to simulate the working conditions of climbers, and arborists around the world can learn new techniques from one another and get a chance to see new and different equipment," said ISA Associate Executive Director Jim Skiera. "Arboriculture is a rapidly growing industry. This event brings the best of the best together, not only to compete, but to also share knowledge and experience gathered from around the world. It is a great resource."
Each ISA chapter is represented at the Seattle-based championship by one climber who won a chapter-sponsored local or regional climbing event. Skiera said there are about 50 preliminary rounds before the international championship, calling the annual event a "tree climber's paradise."
Mark Chisholm, the current two-time world champion who will defend his title this year, said the environment at the championship is unlike any sporting event he's ever seen.
"It's a unique environment in that it is competitive, but still has a large sense of camaraderie," Chisholm said. "Everyone has something to teach someone else."
Chisholm has competed in the championship for 12 years. He said the event is important because it emphasizes safety and education in the climbing industry. But that's not the only thing that prompts him to keep competing.
"At (the championship), there is more value in the things you learn than in winning. You can't put a dollar value on the things you learn that you can take with you and use day-to-day," he said. "I also keep competing to see friends from around the world that I have met. It's just a great experience for safety awareness, education, and making new friends."
This weekend's competition features a separate climbing competition for women.
Other activities will include a field day and trade show, catering to people of all ages. The field day will include gardening workshops, a kid's climb, children's jamboree, and an outdoor trade show featuring more than 30 manufacturers.
Event times are as follows on Saturday and Sunday:
- 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. Saturday - preliminary events
- 8:00 a.m. Sunday - preliminary rounds continue
- 9:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday - field day outdoor trade show and equipment demonstrations
- 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. Sunday - children's jamboree and kid's climb
- 2:00 p.m. Sunday - women's masters' challenge
- 2:30 p.m. Sunday - men's masters' challenge
The International Society of Arboriculture (ISA) is a nonprofit organization supporting
tree care research around the world. Headquartered in Champaign, Ill., ISA is dedicated to the care and
preservation of shade and ornamental trees. For more information, contact a local ISA Certified Arborist
or visit
www.treesaregood.com.
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