See a list of the Sponsors of the 2017 CT Climbing Competition.

Each year, it takes a leap of faith followed by a small miracle for the CTPA climbing competition to take place.  True, there is the solid leadership provided by Bud Neal and the excellent organizing work of the Climbing Competition Committee, with Bud, Charlie Iselin, Sandy Ingellis, Kevin Wyatt and Cathy Dvorsky aboard.  They all do great work.

Still, there are a lot of pieces that need to mesh on competition day.  The day does not happen if not for the volunteers who come out to help and the generous support of the sponsors.  For the approximately 25 climbers who participate each year, somewhere between 25 to 35 volunteers are needed so that the individual climbs go safely and successfully, and the scores and times are properly recorded.  Volunteer duties range from the jobs of Head Judge and Head Technician (Bruce Duffy and Danny Rodriguez, respectively, this year), to the individuals who orders the food and make sure the tents get set-up properly (mostly Sandy and Cathy).

Judges and Timers watching Matt Reynolds set his line during the Master’s Competition.

For each event, there is at least one judge and more than one timer – so there may be as many as 4 or 5 officials at an event such as the work climb.  Additionally, both the work climb and the aerial rescue events require an in-tree tech, largely for safety reasons.  For the speed-climb and the footlock events, someone needs to run the belay lines, while back at the scorer’s table, there is the crack, ‘A-team’ of scorekeepers, entering the results as they come in and posting them for an audience that gets more eager as the day goes along.

Pulling such a team together of volunteers together is not easy, particularly when the jobs themselves require a high degree of knowledge and attention to detail.  This is where we go back to the leadership, and the hard work of the Committee in making sure all of the pieces are brought together – and aware of what they need to be doing on the day of the competition.

As in-tree tech for the work climb, Emmett Shutts helps a competitor get set to go.

However, the day still cannot occur successfully without the sponsors.  Registration pays some of the costs, but there are also such expenses as the ropes used in the competition, the food and drink and, not the least, all of those cowbells.  The generous support of the sponsors is critical to the event happening.

The sponsors fall into 3 classes.  The Gold Sponsors donate $500 towards the event and, in return, get their logo placed on the climbers’ and volunteers’ t-shirts.  Silver Sponsors donate $100 and are noted as the sponsor of one of the climbing events.  Bronze Sponsors donate $50 and are listed in the CTCC program booklet, along with all of the other sponsors.  All are appreciated deeply.

See a list of the Sponsors of the 2017 CT Climbing Competition.

The generosity and enthusiasm of so many people is a large part of what makes the CTCC such a great event.  We are happy to take a moment to thank them for all that they contribute.

Behind the competitors is a strong team of volunteers and sponsors.

And, consider attending yourself!  Especially if you have not been to a CTCC before.

On Saturday, May 6th, CTPA will host the 13th annual CT Tree Climbing Competition.  25 climbers from Connecticut and the region around the state will compete.  These climbers represent the range of people in professional tree care who climb trees – men and women, advanced climbers ‘in the peak of shape’ and much less experienced climbers – all fit in well at an event that is as much about camaraderie as it is about shaving seconds off of a timed event.

And, for an audience, the skill, athleticism and passion of the climbers can be highly engaging.  This is a great showcase for what goes into tree care and professional arboriculture.

The 13th Annual CTCC will be held at Harrybrooke Park in New Milford – 100 Still River Dr, New Milford, CT 06776.  CTPA members, especially those who live or work in the New Milford area, are encouraged to spread the word on the competition.  CTPA has produced a poster and a press release to help in letting folks know about this event – please share these with anyone (a local fire department, the local newspaper) who might be interested.

Thanks for helping to spread the word.

Foot Locking

Work Climb

Work Climb