Kiwis the Best in the World...

Jeff Darby · 27th July 2011, 10:18 PM

Over the course of the weekend climbers from all over the world converged on Parramatta Pk to qualify then on to Prince Alfred Park , Parramatta, NSW in Sydneys West, to compete in the finals. Prince Alfred Park is of historical interest as it is the location of Australia's first gaol, It was named after Queen Victorias 2nd son, who was also the first British Monarch to visit Australia. Can you imagine the ghosts of the inmates of the past must be thinking? "what's going on Governor" with all these people climbing up and down trees with bells ringing and people screaming "come on....come on... you can do it".

World Climbing Champions

Chrissy Spence (left) and Scott Forrest

Quote:

Children do it, monkeys do it and even adults do it. But did you know New Zealanders are the best at it?

Two kiwis have proven that New Zealanders are the best in the world at a sport you've probably never heard of – tree climbing.

Chrissy Spence and Scott Forrest won the female and men's categories, respectively, at the 2011 International Tree Climbing Championship at the weekend.

Spence had previously won the title in 2005 and 2007 but no New Zealand men had managed to secure first place – until now.

Hundreds of people, many from New Zealand, attended the championships in Parramatta, New South Wales.

Spence said the tree climbing community was like a ''big family'' and the event was like a family reunion.

''It's a weird sport,'' she says. ''You cheer everyone on.''

Many competing tree climbers were arborists and Spence wasn't excluded. Her brother-in-law was an avid tree climber and got Spence interested in the sport around nine years ago.

She has since become an arborist and often travels throughout the North Island for work.

She's addicted to climbing and was determined to come first after placing second at the international championship last year.

Climbers were given a task of reaching the top of a tree and then manoeuvring across branches and swinging their way to another specimen.

''You never know what you're going to get given,'' Spence said.

''It's like work – every day there is something different.''

Competitors were judged on speed and skill.

Spence says they're always secured by harnesses because of the high risk of injury. ''You can't risk a fall. If you fall one meter you could break your back.''

She says that the sport is male-dominated and females were only invited to compete 10 years ago, despite it being a competitive sport for decades.

There were 20 female competitors at the championships, which is the most Spence has ever competed against. They were narrowed down to three women, including Spence and two Australians.

Forrest battled it out against 40 men, followed by four other finalists before he secured first place.

You Tube

Congratulations guys...

Kiwis best in world at climbing trees - oddstuff | Stuff.co.nz

Eric Frei · 28th July 2011, 05:56 PM

Good on em, what a great climber to watch.

redmower · 28th July 2011, 06:02 PM

I think Jay way trying to say Prince Alfred Park on Church St in Parramatta.

First time I have seen the world climbing comp. Too good a show to not go see it again somewhere else.

And Scott us showed what tidy climbing really looks like. (I missed most of the ladies event) Maybe we can return the favor if the Wallabies can show Scott and his good countrymen what tidy rugby can look like in a few weeks time.

redmower · 28th July 2011, 06:06 PM

Correction: I think Jay was trying to say..... My apologies to all

Jeff Darby · 28th July 2011, 06:07 PM

I remember watching a contract climber doing treework for us where I work, I was doing pedestrian control as this place has a high public presence. In a break from keeping the public out from under this climber working this tree I watched him climb and I knew straight away we had a very accomplished technical climber in our midsts. When he came down from the tree I walked over to him and shook his hand as it's not often you see a climber of this caliber at work. So this man can not only compete he also can put his talent into his work and stand out from the crowd..

derwoodii · 28th July 2011, 09:23 PM

That youtube climb vid was millimetre perfect in every swing step and task. Twas so great making tricky hard expert work look so smooth n easy, thats what a gun climber does, nice one kiwis.

r32 · 1st August 2011, 03:34 AM

I too had the pleasure of seeing Scott (and other competitors of the same calibre) compete recently in Singapore at the Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Comps and I must say that you're right. They make it look easy and every move is perfectly judged both for vertical and lateral movement.

28th July 2011, 05:56 PM	#2
Eric Frei Admin - Owner Palm & Tree Services in Brisbane Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Brisbane Posts: 12,994	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... Good on em, what a great climber to watch. __________________ Protect your rights to work - Join Australian Tree Association My businesses:- Qualified Brisbane Palm and Tree Lopping \| Stump Grinding Brisbane \| Brisbane - Gold Coast Consulting Arborist

28th July 2011, 06:02 PM	#3
redmower Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2010 Location: sub-tropical Queensland Posts: 75	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... I think Jay way trying to say Prince Alfred Park on Church St in Parramatta. First time I have seen the world climbing comp. Too good a show to not go see it again somewhere else. And Scott us showed what tidy climbing really looks like. (I missed most of the ladies event) Maybe we can return the favor if the Wallabies can show Scott and his good countrymen what tidy rugby can look like in a few weeks time.

28th July 2011, 06:06 PM	#4
redmower Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: May 2010 Location: sub-tropical Queensland Posts: 75	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... Correction: I think Jay was trying to say..... My apologies to all

28th July 2011, 06:07 PM	#5
Jeff Darby Moderator - Previously known as JayD Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: TreeWorld, Sydney Australia Posts: 2,059	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... I remember watching a contract climber doing treework for us where I work, I was doing pedestrian control as this place has a high public presence. In a break from keeping the public out from under this climber working this tree I watched him climb and I knew straight away we had a very accomplished technical climber in our midsts. When he came down from the tree I walked over to him and shook his hand as it's not often you see a climber of this caliber at work. So this man can not only compete he also can put his talent into his work and stand out from the crowd.. __________________ Member: Australian Tree Association Join the Australian Tree Association...Have your voice heard ! Arboriculture, A life long study for some, a passing phase for others © Jeffrey J Darby 2011 Last edited by Jeff Darby; 28th July 2011 at 06:15 PM.

28th July 2011, 09:23 PM	#6
derwoodii Mature tree Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Melbourne Posts: 406	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... That youtube climb vid was millimetre perfect in every swing step and task. Twas so great making tricky hard expert work look so smooth n easy, thats what a gun climber does, nice one kiwis.

1st August 2011, 03:34 AM	#7
r32 I'm new here so be nice Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Singapore Posts: 3	Re: Kiwis the Best in the World... I too had the pleasure of seeing Scott (and other competitors of the same calibre) compete recently in Singapore at the Asia Pacific Tree Climbing Comps and I must say that you're right. They make it look easy and every move is perfectly judged both for vertical and lateral movement.

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