Tree Climbing Championship
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2023 Logo
2023 New England Chapter ISA TCC
June 16-17, 2023 | Mt. Ida College | Newton, MA | Work day April 1, 2023
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About TCC
Each year our Tree Climbing Championship brings together 36 of the most skilled male and female climbers in our industry. Climbers compete in five preliminary events described below. The three male and three female climbers with the highest scores after the preliminary round advance to the Master's Challenge. The male and female climber with the highest score in the Master's Challenge will represent the New England Chapter of the International Society of Arboriculture at the International Tree Climbing Championship.
THE EVENTS
The Aerial Rescue (50 Points) is a simulated rescue event. It is designed to measure the climber’s ability to respond to an emergency situation involving an injured arborist in a tree. The climber is responsible for notifying emergency services, inspecting the work site for possible and/or existing hazards, administering preliminary first aid, and working efficiently.
The dummy (injured worker) is installed in a tree 20 to 40 feet above the ground. The event is timed and the climber is judged and scored while performing the rescue. The clock starts when the head judge says "go." The clock is stopped after the climber has landed with the dummy on the ground, unclipped the climbing line from the dummy's harness, and has prepared the victim to transfer to the Emergency Medical Technicians.
The Belayed Speed Climb (20 Points) is a timed event that measures the ability of the contestant to climb a tree while using the branches and a fixed rope. The climber is on belay while ascending a set route to the top of the tree. Time begins when the climber's second foot leaves the ground and stops when the climber rings the bell, which is installed approximately 60' aloft.
The Ascent Event (20 Points) tests the competitor’s ability to efficiently and safely use their selected and approved ascent system. The event assesses the competitor’s efficiency in attaching the ascent system to the ascent line(s), ascending to the bell, and transferring into a descent system. The actual descent is not part of the event. Points are earned for speed as well as for meeting predetermined safety objectives.
The Throwline (30 Points) event tests the climber’s ability to accurately throw a weight attached to a rope through targets placed in a tree at heights of approximately 30, 40, 50, and 60+ feet. The targets are worth 3, 5, 7, and 9 points accordingly. If a climber installs climbing lines on the scored targets, additional points are awarded. Each contestant is allowed 6 minutes to attempt to score two targets and install two climbing lines.
The Work Climb (80 Points) is an event designed to judge the contestant's balance and skill with a rope and harness in the tree. Contestants are judged and scored on safety, efficiency, technique, and poise in the tree. All contestants start from the same designated point in the tree. The contestants proceed to work stations and gain associated points while completing all tasks at each station. Each contestant has the option of choosing the order and route in which to approach each work station. Climbers have a time limit to complete this event.
The Master's Challenge (300 Points) is an event designed to judge the top climbers (from the preliminary events) overall productivity and skill with a rope and harness in the tree. Contestants are judged and scored on their knowledge and ability to demonstrate the mastery of different climbing techniques, safe work practices, use of equipment, and poise in the tree. Competitors have a set amount of time to enter the tree, perform tasks at work stations and descend safely to the ground. Time stops when all of the climber's equipment is removed from the tree.
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Past Winners & Competition Info
Hall of Fame
2022 - Framingham, MA
June 18, 2022 - Farm Pond Park
Congratulations to the winners: Stella Dee and Kyle McCabe
2019 - warkwick, RI
June 1, 2019 - Masonic Youth Center
Congratulations to the winners: Kyle Donaldson and Nicolette Eicholtz
2018 - New London, CT
June 9, 2018 - Connecticut College Arboretum
Congratulations to Tim Reynolds and Nicolette Eicholtz!
Thank you to Connecticut College for the beautiful venue!
2017 - Attleboro, MA
June 2-3, 2017 - Capron Park
Attleboro, Massachusetts
Congratulations to Bear LeVangie, Russel Plum, and Dan Severino 2017 MCI Champions. The two men and alternate, Nicole Eicholtz, represented the NE Chapter at the 2017 North American Tree Climbing Championship!
Thank you to the City of Attleboro for a great venue for this year's Master's Challenge Invitational. The park was the perfect location for this fun event - despite the weather!
2016 - Portland, ME
May 13-14, 2016 - Deering Oaks Park
Portland, Maine
Congratulations to Bear LeVangie & Matthew Reynolds 2016 TCC Champions and to Dan Severino, Spirit of Competition.
Thank you to the City of Portland for a great venue for this year's Tree Climbing Championship! The park had a great collection of trees, and a warm welcome by the community.
Group Photos Clarisse Hart | Gear Inspection Clarisse Hart | Aerial Shots Tom Ingersoll | Climbing Clarisse Hart
2015 - Smith College
June 12-13, 2015 - Smith College
Northampton, MA
Congratulations to Kyle Donaldson & Marcy Carpenter 2015 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Dan Severino, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Smith College for a great TCC!
Pictures Clarisse Hart | Pictures Walter Goodridge | Mass Live Coverage | Hampshire Gazette | Hartford Courant
2014 MCC - Amherst, ma
October 18, 2014
Amherst, MA
Congratulations to Matt Reynolds & Marcy Carpenter 2014 NEC-ISA Masters Challenge Champions. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and UMass Amherst for a great MCC!
Photos - Clarisse Hart | Photos Sydney McNair | Photos Walter Goodridge
2014 - Burlington, vt
May 30-31, 2014
Burlington, Vermont
Congratulations to Bear LeVangie & Shane Lumbra 2014 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Doug Tochtrop, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Oakledge Park for a great TCC!
2013 - Warwick, ri
May 17-18
Warwick, Rhode Island
Congratulations to Marcy Carpenter & Tim Reynolds 2013 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Melissa LeVangie, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Goddard Memorial Park for a great TCC!
2012 - Bristol, ri
May 18-19, 2012
Bristol, Rhode Island
Congratulations to Justin Donahue and Bear LeVangie 2012 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Bruce Duffy, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Blithewold Mansion, Gardens, and Arboretum for a great TCC!
2011 - Brunswick, me
May 6-7, 2011
Brunswick, Maine
Congratulations to Bear LeVangie & Dan Weise 2011 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Bruce Duffy, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Bowdoin College for a great TCC!
2010 - MCI - Plymouth, ma
October 23, 2010
Plymouth, Massachusetts
Congratulations to Kyle McCabe & Melissa Duffy 2010 NEC-ISA Masters Challenge Invitational Champions. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Plymouth Memorial State Park for a great MCI!
2009 - Florence, ma
May 1-2, 2009
Florence, Massachusetts
Congratulations to Dan Weise and Marcy Carpenter 2009 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Bruce Duffy, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Look Park for a great TCC!
2008 - Cape Elizabeth, me
June 6-7, 2008
Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Congratulations to Justin Donahue and Marcy Carpenter 2008 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions and to Melissa Duffy, Spirit of Competition. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Fort Williams for a great TCC!
2007 - Manchester, nh
June 8-9, 2007
Manchester, New Hampshire
Congratulations to Justin Donahue and Bear LeVangie 2007 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Valley Cemetery and Arboretum for a great TCC!
2006 - Amherst, ma
June 7-8, 2006
Amherst, Massachusetts
Congratulations to Bruce Duffy and Melissa LeVangie 2006 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and UMass, Amherst for a great TCC!
2005 - Burlington, vt
June 3-5, 2005
Burlington, Vermont
Congratulations to Dan Weise and Melissa LeVangie 2005 NEC-ISA Tree Climbing Champions. Thanks to all of our volunteers, judges, climbers and Oakledge Park for a great TCC!