Seven-time World Champion Bernd Strasser, known as "Beddes" to friends, has been climbing for 18 years. Since 1994, he has been competing at the chapter and international levels. Strasser has finished with three second-place and seven first-place rankings in the last ten years of ITCC Masters' Challenge competitions. He owns the tree climbing team Baumkletterteam, which specializes in seed collecting, research facilitations, and pruning. With his company slogan that translates into "Trees are poems that the earth writes into the sky" he is trying to create more awareness for trees wherever possible. Strasser gives worldwide workshops on advanced climbing techniques, aerial rescue, and rigging. He is a certified European tree worker, a certified instructor for chain-saw use in trees, and an instructor for several German seed institutions. Together with treemagineers.com, he is working on innovative climbing equipment for arborists (latest a harness called "treemotion") and is a consultant for Stihl, Teufelberger and DMM. Strasser has a 16-year-old son, Silas, and enjoys every minute he can spend with him. By now, in school holidays Silas is a good help on the worksite already. Recently he moved in his newly built house made out of strawbails. Beddes enjoys pretty much every summer and winter outdoor activity." You'll often find him paragliding, snowboarding, cross-country touring, hiking, canoeing, running, and especially climbing trees.

Gerard Reynolds competes in ITCC for the first time this year. He has been climbing for 10 years, with 9 years devoted to competing at the chapter level. He claims his fastest 50' footlock time is 15.7 seconds. Reynolds is owner and operator of Aboressence in Wangaratta, Victoria, Australia. He holds a diploma in Arboriculture. Reynolds and his wife of 3 and a half years, Wiebke, have a 1 year old daughter, Raija. In his spare time, Reynolds enjoys bush walking, camping, dirt bike riding, rock-climbing, scuba diving, and traveling.

Representing the European Tree Climbing Championships is Jonathon Turnball from the United Kingdom. This is Turnball's second trip to the ITCC. He has a national certificate and a national diploma in arboriculture and has been climbing for seven years. When he is not working, Turnball enjoys recreational tree climbing, rock climbing, cross-country mountain biking, and skiing.

Representing the Atlantic Chapter in his first international competition is Matt Follett. He has ten years climbing experience and has competed at the chapter level twice. Follett graduated from Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture, and is currently enrolled in Dalhousie University pursuing a degree in Soil Science. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, and a Registered Consulting Arborist with ASCA. He has been partnered with Roisin O'Connor for 12 years, and enjoys skiing, cycling, cooking, food, wine, and good beer.

With 15 years climbing experience, Richard Kenyon joins the ITCC for his first time. He has competed at the chapter level for 10 years. He states his fastest 50' footlock time to be 17.92 seconds. He was educated in Arboriculture at the University of Melbourne, Australia. Kenyon enjoys rock climbing, white water paddling, shooting, skiing, fishing, and bush walking in his spare time.

Peter Vergote is competing in his first ITCC though he has been climbing for five years. Vergote has competed at the chapter level for three years. He says his fastest 50' foot lock time is 20.45 seconds. Vergote has been a self employed professional tree worker for four years. He completed studies in Green Management, and as a European Treeworker (EAC). He has been married for four years to De Keyser Tine, and has three children, Jens, Joren, and Woud. He enjoys spending time with his wife and family, music, and festivals in his spare time.

With sixteen years climbing experience, Morten Lindberg Nielsen joins the ITCC for his eighth time. He has competed at the chapter level twelve times. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 17.2 seconds. Nielsen has been a tree climber for three years. He was educated as a forest worker and now is a certified European tree worker. Nielsen enjoys mountain bikes, rock climbing, and skiing in his free time.

This will be Menno Kluiters first international climbing competition, although he has been climbing for 8 years. Kluiters has competed at the chapter level for four years. He studied Forest and Nature Management for three years in Velp, Holland. Kluiters just began work as a contract climber for Nordic Tree in Sweden. He says he was first exposed to tree climbing by a friend from Canada several years ago, and has not looked back since! He has been partnered with Ann-Marie for two years, and enjoys hiking in the South Island of New Zealand in his leisure time.

Climbing in his second international competition is Odis Sisk, a climbing arborist with Arborscape Tree Care Professionals in Sarasota, FL. Sisk has been climbing for eight years, and competed on the chapter level for 3 years. He states his fastest 50' footlock time is 19 seconds. In addition to working as a climbing arborist, Sisk also is an instructor with North American Training Solutions. Sisk has one son, Evan, and enjoys pina coladas and long walks in the rain.

Thoren Benk has been climbing for six years, competing at the chapter level for three years. This is his first trip to the ITCC. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 16 seconds. Benk has been a tree worker for the past six years. He and his partner of seven years have a son, Javis, whom is one.

Climbing in his seventh international competition is Todd Kramer of the Illinois Chapter. Kramer has worked for his family-owned business for 20 years starting by dragging brush and moving up to director of field operations and education. He is a Certified Arborist, Certified Tree Worker, and Tree Care Industry Association - Certified Training Safety Professional. The 20-year climbing veteran has participated in 16 chapter level competitions. Kramer said his fastest 50' footlock was around 16 seconds. He has volunteered as a scoring judge, head footlock technician, and the work climb technician for men's and women's Master's challenges. Kramer enjoys spending time with his wife of seven years, Laura; daughter, Emily, 5; and son, James, 3. His hobbies include rock climbing, mountain biking, and camping.

Brian Mann is competing in his first international competition this year. He has competed four times at the chapter level. Mann has an associate degree in Conservation Law Enforcement. He is a part owner of his family's business, The Tree Mann, Inc, and shares in the responsibilities of leading crews, climbing, and sales. He has been partnered with Brook Rohlman for 8 years. In his spare time, Mann enjoys archery hunting for white tailed deer, camping, rock climbing, and filming hunts.

Climbing in his fifth ITCC is Giovanni Ugo. He has been climbing for 21 years and has competed at the chapter level seven times. He is the twice Italian champion, and once the Portuguese champion in 2007. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 18.7 seconds. Ugo works as an arborist and has for eleven years. He does tree climbing and tree moving for transplants. He is married to Carla Cicogna Mozzoni, and they have 2 daughters, Greta and Melissa. Ugo enjoys spending time with his family, bee keeping, and skiing.

Chris O'Bryan is representing the Kentucky Chapter in his fourth international level competition. He has competed five times at the chapter level and said his fastest 50' footlock is 26 seconds. He began climbing ten years ago. O'Bryan earned a bachelor's degree in Forestry from the University of Kentucky, and a masters degree in Forest Resources from Clemson University. He is co-owner of Limbwalker Tree Service in Louisville, KY. O'Bryan has been married to Amanda for three years, and he has one daughter, Nina. He enjoys landscaping in his free time.

Kevin Bingham's 29-years tree climbing experience has taken him through 6 chapter level competitions. This will be his first international championship He said his fastest 50' footlock is 19 seconds. Bingham works as a program coordinator for Singing Tree, LLC. He is an ISA Certified Arborist, and has worked all over the country in the tree working industry. He enjoys good food and good people.

James Earhart will be representing the Mid-Atlantic Chapter in this year's ITCC. It will be his first competition at the international level, although he has been climbing for 8 years, and competed at the chapter level for 5 years. Earhart has worked as a foreman for Bartlett Tree Experts for two years. He has been married to Stephanie for two and a half years. In his spare time, Earhart enjoys hunting with a bow, water fowl hunting, fishing, wood working, and big tree climbing in California.

Noel Boyer has been climbing for 13 years, and 11 years at the chapter level. This ITCC will be sixth international competition. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 16.5 seconds. This Certified Arborist also has Bachelors of Science in Psychology from Missouri State University. Boyer owns his own tree service, and has worked for himself for three years. He has been married to Myria for ten years and the couple has two children Mary, 7, and Lily, 4. Boyer's hobbies include camping and canoeing, lying on the beach with a cold beer, chip truck and chipper repair, and avoiding salesmen.

With a fastest 50' footlock time of 17.5 seconds, Turner Lee is competing in his first ITCC this year. Lee has been climbing for a total of four years, and competing at chapter level each of those years. He has been employed by Majestic Tree Care for the past four years as a pruning foreman. Lee enjoys boating and snowboarding in his leisure time.

Justin Donahue has been climbing for 15 years. He has competed at the chapter level eight times and this is his fourth trip to the ITCC. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 18 seconds. Donahue is a Certified Arborist and also has a 4-year certificate in conservation and horticulture. When he's not climbing he said you can find him riding his Harley Davidson. Donahue has three beautiful girls Elisha, 7; Daisy, 5; and Jenelle, 3.

Representing the New Jersey Chapter for the 17th time, is Mark Chisholm. He has been climbing for 24 years and has competed at the chapter level 18 times. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 14.3 seconds. Chisholm works as the director of field operations and volunteers as a NJAISA trustee. His hobbies include spending time with family, surfing treebuzz.com, playing hockey, and investing. Chisholm and his wife, Annie, have been married 12 years and have three children.

Returning for his second international competition is Michael Orsino from the New York Chapter. Orsino has also competed twelve times at the chapter level, but has been climbing for thirty years. This Certified Arborist works as assistant director of grounds for Burke Rehabilitation Hospital. He earned his associate's degree in Horticulture from SUNY - Cobleskill, and his bachelor's degree in Forestry & Recreation from University of Georgia. Orsino has been married to Jo Ann for 21 years and enjoys scuba diving, traveling, hiking, biking, and climbing.

Tony Wilson is climbing in his third ITCC representing the New Zealand Chapter. Wilson has been climbing for 10 years and said his fastest 50' footlock is 17.01 seconds. He earned his arboriculture diploma from Waikato Polytechnic. Wilson works as a contract climber, private arboretum manager, and sheep and deer farmer. In his spare time, he enjoys dendrology, waterskiing, hunting, and spending time with friends.

John A.H. Coles has been climbing for over 20 years and has competed over 14 times at the chapter level. This is his first international competition. Coles now works as a climbing arborist. He is married, and the father of two children, ages 6 and 4.

With nine years of climbing experience, 3 years of chapter competition, Chris Bramlage returns to the international climbing scene for the second time. He states his fastest 50' footlock time is 20 seconds. Bramlage studied for two years at the University of Cincinnati. He has worked as a journey man for the last 3 years in the Cincinnati metro area. Bramlage has been married to his wife, Jen, for eight years, and in his spare time enjoys mountain biking, hiking, indoor rock climbing, and trail building for mountain bikers.

Eight-year chapter level competitor and first time international competitor, Andrew Drummond is representing the Ontario Chapter this year. Drummond said his fastest 50' footlock is 18.5 seconds. He said he's worked from coast to coast in Canada, and several states in the US. He currently is an arborist with the City of Ottawa, ON. He has been married for two years to Erin, and they are expecting their first child in September. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and family, hunting and fishing, as well as, a new found love for rugby.

Gareth Tudor-Jones, Certified Arborist and tree climber, returns to the international climbing scene for the second time. He has been climbing for 8 years and has competed 3 times at the chapter level. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 21 seconds. Tudor-Jones began doing tree work in South Africa where he received his diploma in Forestry from Saasceld Forestry College. He moved to Canada in 2001, and became an arborist and climber. For the last four years, he has worked as a safety and training coordinator. Tudor-Jones has been married to his wife, Jacqueline, for twelve years, and they have two children, Evan and Reece. He enjoys surf ski paddling, white water kayaking, surfing, rustic woodwork, and Bonsai.

Jim Roach has been climbing more than twenty years and has competed at the chapter level eleven times. This is Roach's seventh year competing at the international level. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 16.8 seconds. Roach is a climber and foreman in Pennslyvania. Roach has been married for 17 years to, Debbie, and they have three sons, Jimmy, Patrick, and Christopher.

Climbing in his first international competition is Ken Moore, representing the Prairie Chapter. He has been climbing for ten years and competed at the chapter level each year. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 21 seconds. Moore works as an arborist and an instructional assistant at Olds College. He obtained his bachelor's degree in Engineering in 1988, and Horticulture diploma in 2000. Moore is married to Kim, and they have a 3 year old son, Brady. In his free time, Moore enjoys running, hockey, and baseball.

With five years of climbing experience, Simon Imbeault is competing in his first international competition this year. He has climbed 5 times at the chapter level. He said his fastest 40' footlock is 24 seconds. Imbeault attained professional school diplomas in both Forest Management and Arboriculture and Tree Climbing. He is currently attending Sherbrooke University working towards a degree in professional teaching. Imbeault currently works as a teacher for an arboriculture school. He has been partnered with Christina Grace for 7 years. His hobbies include amateur mountain biking competitions, arboriculture, and outdoor activities.

Returning for his third international competition is Luke Glines, owner of Luke Glines Tree Experts. Glines, who has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a master's degree in theology, has owned the business and worked as a Certified Arborist for 12 years. He has also climbed for 12 years, with six of those at the chapter level. Glines has volunteered as a member of the Tree Climbing Championship Committee. He said his fastest 50' footlock was 16 seconds. Glines has a 14-year-old daughter, Hannah. He enjoys riding his motorcycle, reading, relaxing at Starbucks, and spending time with his daughter.

Joining the international competition for the first time this year is Lucas Drews. He has been climbing for 9 years and has competed at the chapter level three times. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 19 seconds. Drews is the owner and operator of his own business, Woodland Arborists. He earned his degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Ferris State University, and has been working in the tree care industry since 1999. Drews has been married to Angela for 5 years, and enjoys camping, swimming and fishing in his spare time.

Climbing in his second ITCC is Johan Gustavvson, representing the Swedish Chapter. He has been climbing for three years, competing at the chapter level for each of those years. He claims his fastest 50' footlock time as 14.5 seconds. Gustavvson works as a climbing arborist, but began working with trees in 1998, as a summer job. He began full time work in the arbor industry in 2005. Gustavvson enjoys motocross riding and water sports. He has been partnered with Lisa Olsson for five years.

Miguel Pastenes has been climbing for 5 years, and has competed at the chapter level for each of those years. This will be his third international competition, and states his fastest 50' footlock time is 15.8 seconds. Miguel works for Arborilogical Services in Wylie, TX. He began there as a ground man five years ago, and has worked his way up to crew foreman. He is responsible for a four man crew, and takes great pride in getting tree work done safely and in the time scheduled. In his free time, Miguel enjoys running.

Nine years of climbing experience has prepared Scott Forrest for his first trip to the ITCC. He has competed twice at the chapter level. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 17 seconds. This arborist has worked for ten years and in places all over the globe - from New Zealand and Australia to the United States and many places in Europe. Forrest was certified in New Zealand as a level 4 arborist, and also as a European tree worker.

Matt Erkelens is competing in his first ITCC this year. He has been climbing for over 4 years and competed in the chapter level for the first time this year. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 29 seconds. Erkelens works as a line clearance arborist for Trees, Inc. Erkelens and his wife of nine months, Nicole, reside in Murray, UT. His hobbies include camping, hiking, skateboarding, snowboarding, and climbing trees.

Climbing in his fourth ITCC is Jared Abrojena from the Western Chapter. Abrojena has been climbing for 18 years and has competed at the chapter level 10 times. He said his fastest 50' footlock is 15 seconds. Abrojena has worked as an arborist and field supervisor for nine years. He has been married to Kati, and the couple has a one year old son, Austin. Abrojena enjoys camping, wakeboarding-boating, and spending time with his family.

Joe House is climbing in his second ITCC this year, though he has competed at the chapter level seven times. He has been climbing a total of 14 years and said his fastest 50' footlock is 16.02 seconds. House graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a Bachelor of Science in forestry in 1995. He became a Certified Arborist in 1996. He worked in New York and Colorado before settling in Wisconsin to raise his family and work for Stephenson Tree Care. House, and his wife of ten years, Lori, have three children Alice, 6; Jacqueline, 5; Charles, 3. In his free time, he enjoys ice climbing, birding, fishing in Northern Wisconsin, and potty training his youngest, Charles.