‘It was like a rock concert’: Saskatoon hosts tree climbing championship

Arborists from across the Prairies have gathered in Saskatoon’s Kinsmen Park for the International Society of Arboriculture Prairie Chapter’s tree climbing championships.

“I’m very competitive... I also look at this as a great learning opportunity,” Jesse Antonation, a competitor, said. “You see, people do different techniques and use different equipment. Everybody’s kind of thinking outside the box.”

The ISA has chapters across the globe. The top arborists from each chapter will be heading to New Zealand for the international championships.

“There are five different preliminary events that mimic what a working arborist would do in a day... installing a rope in the tree, moving around a tree, rescuing someone,” Matt Vinet, chair of the Prairie Chapter ISA Tree Climbing Competition, said.

“And it’s scored on time. But speed is not the goal, safety is the goal, and technique.”

The unique sport requires a variety of skills, which are all put to the test over the weekend.

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“Arborists are very good problem solvers. And so we’re always looking at how every tree is different, every scenario is different, and every piece of equipment is different. So we’re always solving puzzles the whole time. And so this is basically about who can figure out the puzzle the quickest and the safest,” Antonation said.

The weekend-long competition draws in talent from across Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Alberta. This year, 43 competitors, including nine women, took the opportunity to participate.

Both Vinet and Antonation said the event has been noticeably growing in size each year.

“When registration opened, it was like a rock concert, it was sold out in hours,” Vinet said.

“I’ve been at these competitions for a while, and it’s starting to expand,” Antonation said. “It’s going into other countries. There are more countries involved, and there are more people involved... one day we might be on sports channels.”

While participants are in competition with one another, the arborist community is a strong one. Each event had no shortage of folks cheering each other on.

“It’s competitive but there’s a fine line where everybody’s cheering for each other. Everybody wants to do well, but you also want to see that your other competitors and your friends do just as well. So it’s yeah, it’s great, great atmosphere,” Antonation said.

Vinet said competitions like this one are a fun reunion for many in the community.

“I’ve been coming here for years,” Vinet said. “My family are all organizers... We look forward to seeing our tree family from all over the Prairies every year. And a lot of people from this event will travel to the internationals on their own dime to volunteer and to cheer on our competitors.”

The weekend was an opportunity for both seasoned arborists and those who are new to the sport.

Antonation said his one piece of advice for anyone curious about giving the sport a try.

“If you get a chance, go climb a tree,” Antonation said.