Media release
14 August 2014
Kiwi arborist wins back-to-back world titles
Kiwi arborist Scott Forrest has retained his title as World Champion at the recent International Tree Climbing
Competition in Milwaukee, United States.
Forrest, also the current Asia Pacific Champion, was joined by compatriots James Kilpatrick who came fourth, and Nicky
Ward-Allen (current New Zealand women’s champion) who took out third place in the women’s competition. Ward-Allen also
set the fastest time in the women’s footlock event set at the new height of 15 metres, and is the current world record
holder for the lower height of 12 metres. In addition, New Zealand retained the chapter award, which recognises the top
combined score of the male and female chapter representatives.
The sport of tree climbing has its origins in professional arboriculture, with most competitors being practicing
arborists. The format is similar in concept to the pentathlon in track and field, with five separate disciplines giving
competitors a cumulative points score.
Top scoring climbers then go on to compete in a ‘climb-off’ (known as the Master’s Event) in a particularly challenging
tree to decide the final placings. The competitions provide members of the arboricultural and climbing communities the
opportunity to meet, compete and share their technical know-how.
New Zealand Arboricultural Association President Chris Walsh says Kiwi climbers are renowned for their exceptional
climbing.
“This is a wonderful success,” says Mr Chris Walsh. “It’s a remarkable feat to retain the men’s title, and the
impressive results show that our climbers are consistently among the best in the world.”
New Zealand’s pedigree in this competition goes back a number of years, with Kiwi arborists regularly picking up world
and regional titles, as well as records in individual disciplines.
“We also have a New Zealander as President of the International Society of Arboriculture, so our industry is going from
strength to strength both domestically and on the international stage,” adds Mr Walsh.
Throughout the year the New Zealand Arboricultural Association, supported by Husqvarna, stages regional climbing events,
with the top climbers then going on to compete in a national event. This is held each year as part of the Association’s
annual conference, and the overall men’s and women’s winners, with support from Asplundh and Treescape, are then
eligible to represent the New Zealand Chapter at the Worlds. The dates and locations of these events can be found atwww.nzarb.org.nz
“If you have never seen one of these events before they are well worth checking out,” says Mr Walsh. “The skill level is
amazing and you might catch a world champion in action.”
Ends