Climbing comp tips

Learn the rule book. Points are deducted pretty fast. Judges are looking for vocals big time. It is really a flow.....never forget to lanyard in and always use 2 hands on that handsaw. Keep light on the limbwalk station so as not to hit the buzzer. On AR keep talking to the victim and make sure you know address and have a plan for 911, give details so the can get to work on arrival. Always keep victim well supported right to the ground especially the head and remember to unclip on reaching ground.....time ends when you unclip....always take up a hard connect for you to keep victim with you, so as they do not slip into the abyss. Keep smooth in ascent, make sure if using a wrench your hitch grabs without it....also make sure you use a locker on your footie. When trying to go fast kickout can be a prob.....so much more but first have fun....do not be hard on yourself and get to know your fellow arbs and pick up or share tips you have learned, that is what comps are all about.
 
Do not miss the points for the easiest Work Climb Station in the tree ! ! !
Landing Station !

Ask for times frequently.

Limbwalk is frequently the lowest in the tree; say you have 60 seconds before starting it; don’t worry about the buzzer/plumb-bob bonus points; 1) touch the tape, 2) RUN out & sound the bell, 3) come back & touch the tape (call “tape” just for the judge’s benefit).

Complete the landing & unclip (Don’t worry about the target bonus points !)
 
Don't get greedy on the throw line. Take a shot or two at the 9 and if you don't hit it go lower. If you're running low on time go for the 3 (lowest score). Points are points. I've seen many world class climbers walk away with zeros because they got tunnel vision on the high score.
 
As stated above:
1. Read the Rule Book; AND study the Score Sheet.
2. Read the Rule Book; AND study the Score Sheet.

Where are the Points; What are the Times (Ask for Times); etc

In Work Climb, if you don't complete All Stations, you lose Time Points.
Don't worry about "bonus points" if you are going to be close on time; ring the bells & complete the stations.
 
In throwline make sure your line are stretched and flaked properly, all your ropes organize for and easy clip in and pull up. Use bags with little loops at bottom for easy connection to a spliced rope or a rope with a hole and throwline loop. All learn to double bag, in hard trees this is an easy way to isolate....so fast getting a rope set in desired point crotch....
 
Throwline will push you down the leader board fast if you do poorly, it can make a huge difference where you end up in Prelims.... It is my achilles heel trust me.... AR can also kill you.... listen and study the scenario carefully. Judges are looking for certain audibles in each scenario. It differs in every comp.... I have been a judge and to score high points audibles are key.....be creative and think outside the box...judges like that
 
islandarb said:
Throwline will push you down the leader board fast if you do poorly, it can make a huge difference where you end up in Prelims.... It is my achilles heel trust me.... AR can also kill you.... listen and study the scenario carefully. Judges are looking for certain audibles in each scenario. It differs in every comp.... I have been a judge and to score high points audibles are key.....be creative and think outside the box...judges like that
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You Can NOT talk to the judges too much.

Get in the work habit of "calling" ALL throws; and ALL removals.
 
GregManning said:
As stated above:
1. Read the Rule Book; AND study the Score Sheet.
2. Read the Rule Book; AND study the Score Sheet.

Where are the Points; What are the Times (Ask for Times); etc

In Work Climb, if you don't complete All Stations, you lose Time Points.
Don't worry about "bonus points" if you are going to be close on time; ring the bells & complete the stations.
Click to expand...
Get a copy of the Rule Book WEEKS before the event.
If you wait until Check-In/Gear-Check, it will be nearly useless.
 
Go to it to have fun and connect with your community. You will likely struggle for your first comp because you are just trying to figure out what exactly is going on. Cheer on everyone else, learn as many people’s names as possible, and stay positive and laugh in the hard times. Spirit of the competition trophies feel really good as well.
 
ISA comps are a subjectively judged event for points, like figure skating or boxing. If a judge doesn't see it or hear it, then it didn't happen. Points are the only thing that matter. All the points are in 2 events: Work Climb and Aerial Rescue. If you're going to think about and practice anything, spend your time on just those 2, ignore the other 3. It's about points, which is why pouring over the rule book is the name of the game...
 
Climbers come to comp’s for a variety of reasons; all of which I think are valid.
  • Competition
  • Get the most points.

  • Learning & experience.
  • If you see a technique or equipment you don’t understand – ASK ! ! !
  • My experience is that your co-climbers will spend an endless amount of time teaching you !

  • Comradery / Contacts / Fun
 
Muggs said:
ISA comps are a subjectively judged event for points, like figure skating or boxing. If a judge doesn't see it or hear it, then it didn't happen. Points are the only thing that matter. All the points are in 2 events: Work Climb and Aerial Rescue. If you're going to think about and practice anything, spend your time on just those 2, ignore the other 3. It's about points, which is why pouring over the rule book is the name of the game...
Click to expand...
I have done good at work climb and AR but my duck in Throwline dumped my ass down the leader board placing me about 8 places down that a few throwline points could have bumped me. It was close after the top ten.
 
islandarb said:
I have done good at work climb and AR but my duck in Throwline dumped may ass down the leader board placing me about 8 places down that a few throwline points could have bumped me. It was close after the top ten.
Click to expand...
As stated above for Throw Line:
Spend time (lunch, etc) to assess the easiest targets before the start of your event.

DO NOT leave w/o throw line points. Leave yourself plenty of time.
e.g. You could ask for a time to be announced every 1 minute.

Over the years, I have set up a couple throwline events with very easy low branch targets.
However, the branches sloped downward. The throw balls always slipped down the branch, & out of the target.
If the climber had simply walked to a different area, they could easily have pulled the line "back-&-forth" into the target.
Home Work !

Watch prior climbers.
 
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Don't change anything last minute, and by last minute, I mean within the month prior. Don't add new gear or change configurations that you're not thoroughly familiar with. Don't switch to a new brand of throwline, a different hitch, a different hitch cord, a different lanyard, etc. Something getting close to wearing out? Buy new now and get it broken in.

On the other hand, I would strip down your saddle of all the non-essentials. You won't need to carry anything into the tree for work climb other than a lanyard and handsaw. Maybe one caritool to carry something up for AR. Nothing needed for ascent event or belayed speed climb.
 
What I mean is, for a beginner, you can't expect to be so high on the leaderboard that a single point here or there is going to make all the difference. You'll have a limited amount of time to practice, so spend that practice time on the 2 events that make up 80% of the points. It's just math. If you really feel like you are good and ready for work climb and ar, then of course by all means spend some time practicing the other 3 smaller point events.......
 
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