By Colleen Marshall
Managing Editor
Spending an entire spring Saturday climbing trees with your best friends seems like every little boy’s dream – but last weekend the laughter stemmed from adults who shimmied ropes and swung from branches in trees scattered throughout Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth.
“It takes a crazy kind of person to do this,” laughed 28-year-old Dan Weise of Middlebury, Conn., after finishing his first event at the Tree Climbing Championships, hosted by the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture. “It’s a really good experience. I enjoy learning new stuff and seeing new gear – and seeing how people use it in different ways. It’s really a melding of minds and personalities. In this field, we tend to be a bit competitive, so this is a great way to do that too.”
And the competitive spirit was in high gear as the 31 competitors joked and teased one another as they readied themselves at the base of the trees at one of the five event locations. Events included an aerial rescue where participants helped a dummy representing a 150-pound injured tree climber more than 30 feet off the ground and a belayed speed climb where participants were timed as they hoisted themselves 40 to 60 feet up a tree while on a rope system.
However, as soon as competitors stepped under the yellow caution tape to begin their timed event – the jeers turned to cheers. The yellow T-shirt clad opponents lifted their eyes skyward, one hand holding tightly to their hard hats as they yelled words of encouragement.
“It’s a really good experience,” Kevin Byam, 29, from Andover, Conn. said. “I’ve been climbing since 1996 and this is my third [competition]. It’s a great place to meet up with great people and learn some new techniques. I like to just come and have some fun.”
That was just what New England International Society of Arboriculture President Tim Lindsay, of Scarborough, wanted to hear about the 19th annual Tree Climbing Competition. Each year the event is hosted in the home state of the president – and Lindsay said he selected the Cape Elizabeth location due to the size of its trees and how they are conveniently spaced out.
“There is a lot of sharing of information, technology, etc.,” he said. “Years ago people in this field didn’t talk to one another because it was all about competition. But now there is a tremendous amount of camaraderie. This event is really all about safety – that’s our focus. These are everyday activities that people do in their daily jobs – except for the aerial rescue – but we always have to be prepared, so it’s a good learning experience.”
Throughout the day, family and friends set up lawn chairs or took a seat on the lush green grass craning their necks to watch the competition.
“My stomach is in my throat,” Northford, Conn. resident Nicole Herold said while holding her 3-month-old Delilah and watching her 2-year-old Sadie cheer on her father, Chris Herold, who was competing in a work climb – a challenge to complete five work stations in the event’s most valuable point challenge. “It’s easier to forget while he’s at work – and pretend he’s in an office.”
Chris Herold, wiped his brow and caught his breath while receiving congratulations from his family following the event. The 33-year-old said he participates in the tree climbing competitions to see if he can still compete and “hang out with the younger guys.”
“So, ego?” his wife laughed.
“Yes, it’s definitely ego,” he responded, matching her laugh.
For Melissa LeVangie, 37, of Petersham, Mass. the event also means spreading the word about arboriculture. She secured grant money last year to begin a recreational tree-climbing program, “Spreading the word of Arboriculture,” that allows women to experience arboriculture as a sport. Although women make up about 5 percent of the arborist field, LeVangie said women are warmly accepted in both their jobs and at the annual competition.
“Women tend to be the decision-makers in the household so we are a huge asset on crews. We are able to truly soften the edge and build strong relationships,” she said.
Saturday’s competition ended with the handing out of $11,000 worth of prizes to the competitors. The trees at the park were undamaged during the event – and the participants pruned them for safety prior to the Saturday start.