Scott is really good at finding random events that are going on in the Darwin area. Today was no different. Turns out Darwin was hosting the Australian Tree Climbing Championships this weekend. I'm not kidding. It's a real thing. The National Arborists Association hosts the yearly event and arborists from all over Australia attend.
Arborists are the guys (and some ladies as well) who climb up trees and cut off branches and manage the health and safety of plants and trees. Mostly Scott likes the part where they climb up trees. There actually is a whole lot to it. Lots of training and safety and all that kind of thing.
Look up....waaay up and you will see your friendly neighbourhood arborist.
During this competition they had a few different events. One of them was a mock rescue. There was a dummy in the tree (apparently suffering from an allergic reaction to a bee sting) and the arborist had 4 minutes to go up, secure the person and get them to the ground.
A little video I made of the mock tree rescue. It was pretty neat to watch. I have all the confidence in the world that if I was stuck in a tree, one of these guys could save me.
Here is one of the competitors. In this task he had to pull that bag of little logs towards him and then drop them on the ground. He of course had to get them as close to a target as possible. Hitting the target got him more points.
There was also a speed climb competition and a few other things. The one we spent the most time watching was a timed (and judged competition) where the arborist had to get to 7 stations in a tree and had to perform 7 tasks in a certain amount of time. All the tasks simulate tasks that they may have to perform on the job.
Jumping from branch to branch. Scott watched this and his eyes just got wider and wider. He could hardly believe that this is actually some one's job. He asked a lot of questions but has decided that if he did become an arborist he would just start his own company. Young (or new) arborists tend to spend a year or two on the ground before they are let into the trees to do any climbing or cutting and stuff.
A close look at one of the champion arborists. Apparently he is one of the country's best. Don't worry, these guys are tied in by ropes at all times. If they fall......they don't fall very far.
So in short, tree climbing looks fun....for those who like heights. And I have once again confirmed that they do in fact have a championship for everything.
Julie
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