Arboriculture students take part in 18th annual Fleming Tree Climbing Competition
Arboriculture students at Fleming College will be taking to the trees at Frost Campus for the 18th annual Fleming Tree Climbing Competition on Tuesday, April 12.
Every year the Arboriculture students compete against one other in five time based events including Tree Rescue, Throw Line, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock and Work Climb.
Many of the students go on, each year, to compete at the provincial and national level with the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Climbing Championships.
Through local community support as well as support through the arboriculture industry, prizes are awarded to our competitors with grand prizes for our men’s and women’s division champions. Many of the competition judges are past Fleming tree climbing competitors and current industry leaders.
Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out and watch the events. Prize contributions are always welcome.
Event Details
The competition starts at 9 a.m. and runs all day. It will take place near the Outdoor Education Centre at Frost Campus (behind the main building, west of the Heavy Equipment building). A back-up rain day is scheduled for April 13.
Tree Rescue: A climber must ascend a tree and rescue a geared up 200 lb ‘dummy’ in distress. The student rescuer must adhere to a set protocol based on a specified emergency. This is a time based event, points are awarded or deducted according to the protocol and emergency.
Throw Line Event: This event is timed and tests the contestant’s ability to accurately place a throw line and climbing line into the tree at heights between 12 and 20 metres.
Belayed Speed Climb Event: Each contestant is timed climbing up a tree from the ground to a height of approximately 15 metres where they will ring finishing bell.
Secured Footlock Event: The contestant must vertically ascend 13 metres in a tree by using the footlock technique. This is a timed event.
Work Climb Event: This event tests the contestant’s ability to quickly and efficiently move about in tree to perform various tasks. At each station the contestant rings a bell. Bonus and penalty points are awarded based on safety, performance and competence.
About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has more than 5,800 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and 68,000 alumni.
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Media, for more information please contact:
Brian Saxon at 705.324.9144 ext. 3311
Joe Outram at 705.324.9144 ext. 3231
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370