The fastest, bravest, most agile tree climbers in Asia-Pacific converge on Cairns in June for a thrilling test in human daring and skill.
Climbing 20m above the ground is all in a day's work for competitors reaching for glory at the 7th annual Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championship, proudly supported by STIHL.
The top 25 climbers from Australia, New Zealand and Singapore – led by world champion Scott Forest and Australian ladies champion Rebecca Barnes – will test their skills across five events for men and women.
The skilled arborists will show off their talents high above the ground with a host of demonstrations and nail-biting competitions.
A must-watch highlight will be the Belayed Speed Climb Event. Climbers navigate their way 18m straight up, against the clock, ringing bells as they go. The fastest to the top wins.
The Aerial Rescue Event will see climbers stage a rescue of a fellow climber in need of help. They have just five minutes to perform a task that in real life would amount to saving a life.
Other competitions involve tossing throwlines at targets 20m into the air, weaving bravely up and around a tree to perform assigned tasks and demonstrating polished safety skills as they go.
Lee Gooch, Digital & Brand Activation Manager from STIHL said, "We are excited to support this event. The competitors are using STIHL products in these situations on a daily basis, so it is a great privilege to assist in putting on such a great event to help promote the arborist industry and professional tree care."
Rebecca Barnes, the current Women's Australian Tree Climbing Champion and has been competing for four years. Rebecca said, "Events like this are a great way to support fellow female arborists. There aren't many of us in Australia so this event lets us to show what we can do and hopefully encourage other woman to consider it as a job. It's an exciting job and the competitions are just as exciting."
Henk Morgans, has been competitively tree climbing for eight years and will be attending the event to vie for the title of Men's Australian Tree Climbing Champion.
Henk said, "The Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championship is not only an excellent opportunity to showcase our industry but it's also a way for us to share new skills and techniques that will keep our fellow workers safe and potentially save lives. Through competition, we build a strong bond with other arborists from around the world so it's important to look out for one another. It's a dangerous job so any opportunity to teach others or learn from others is welcomed.
As part of their prize, the winner will receive the first STIHL MSA 160 T cordless top-handle saw in Australia. They will also go on to represent the Asia-Pacific Region in the world Championships held in Milwaukee, USA in August 2014.
What: Asia-Pacific Tree Climbing Championship
Who: Hosted by the Queensland Arboricultural Association
Supported by STIHL
When: Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 June 2014
Where: Sugarworld Water Park, Hambledon Drive
Edmonton, Far North Queensland (10km south of Cairns)
For further information, please contact:
Claire McIlroy
PR for STIHL
T: 0422 925100
claire@birdsofpreypr.com.au