Fleming Students Climb, Compete, and Conquer at the 28th Annual Tree Climbing Competition

Fleming College is gearing up for its 28th Annual Tree Climbing Competition on April 7 at the Frost Campus in Lindsay. From 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the Campus’s Outdoor Education Centre will function as a high-energy landscape where Arboriculture (Co-op) program students will demonstrate their technical precision, physical endurance, and safety skills, areas of expertise required as arborist professionals.

Students will compete in five rigorous events:

• Tree Rescue: A climber must ascend a tree and rescue a 200 lb. dummy in distress, following strict safety protocols in a timed scenario.
• Throw Line: Tests student accuracy in placing a throw line and climbing line into the tree at heights between 12 and 20 metres.
• Belayed Speed Climb: A timed race to the top of a tree, approximately 15 metres high, where contestants ring the finishing bell.
• Ascent Event: Climbers vertically ascend 13 metres using Stationary Rope System techniques in a timed challenge.
• Work Climb: A test of speed, efficiency, and safety as students move through the tree to complete tasks and ring bells at each station.

An award ceremony will follow from 3:30 – 6 p.m. The top-performing students from the Women’s and Men’s divisions will go on to represent Fleming College at the International Society of Arboriculture Ontario’s annual Ontario Tree Climbing Championship in the fall.

Spectators are welcome to cheer on our Arboriculture students!

Visit the Arboriculture (Co-op) program web page for more information.