Fleming College

City of Kawartha Lakes ON – (April 7, 2015) – Arboriculture students at the Frost Campus are preparing for the annual Fleming Tree Climbing Competition, which will take place Tuesday, April 14 starting at 9 a.m.

Every year the Arboriculture students compete against each other in five time-based events: Tree Rescue, Throw Line, Belayed Speed Climb, Secured Footlock and Work Climb.

Through local community support as well as support from the arboriculture industry, prizes are awarded to the competitors with grand prizes for the men’s and women’s division champions. Many of the competition judges are past Fleming tree climbing competitors and current industry leaders.

Many of the students go on to compete at the provincial and national level with the International Society of Arboriculture’s Tree Climbing Championships.

Everyone is welcome and encouraged to come out and watch this year’s competition. The event is free and is a lot of fun to watch.

Event Details: The competition kicks off at the Frost Campus (200 Albert St. S., Lindsay) at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, April 14, 2015. All events take place at the Outdoor Education Center, west of the Heavy Equipment building.

Tree Rescue: A climber must ascend a tree and rescue a geared up 200 lb ‘dummy’ in distress. The student rescuer must adhere to a set protocol based on a specified emergency. This is a time-based event, points are awarded or deducted according to the protocol and emergency.

Throw Line Event: This event is timed and tests the competitor’s ability to accurately place a throw line and climbing line into the tree at heights between 12 and 20 metres.

Belayed Speed Climb Event: Each competitor is timed climbing up a tree from the ground to a height of approximately 15 metres where they will ring a finishing bell.

Secured Footlock Event: The competitor must vertically ascend 13 metres in a tree by using the footlock technique. This is a timed event.

Work Climb Event: This event tests the competitor’s ability to quickly and efficiently move about in a tree to perform various tasks. At each station the competitor rings a bell. Bonus and penalty points are awarded based on safety, performance and competence.

About Fleming College
Located in the heart of Central Ontario, Fleming College has campus locations in Peterborough, Lindsay, Cobourg and Haliburton. Named for famous Canadian inventor and engineer Sir Sandford Fleming, the college features more than 100 full-time programs in Arts and Heritage, Business, Environmental and Natural Resource Sciences, General Arts and Science, Health and Wellness, Justice and Community Development, Skilled Trades and Technology, and Continuing Education. Fleming College has 5,900 full-time and 10,000 part-time students, and more than 68,000 alumni.
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For more information:

Arboriculture Program
Brian Saxon, 705-324-9144 ext. 3037
Joe Outram, 705-324-9144 ext. 3231

or
Laura Copeland
Communications Officer
laura.copeland@flemingcollege.ca
705.749.5530 x 1370