We are Arborists and arborists are employed to care for or remove trees. The competition is based on working conditions and should reflect best practice e.g. why would anyone be pointed on safety otherwise. If the TCC becomes too extreme with equipment and associated safety factors, a seperate sports event is required for those who wish to push the limits for the sake of speed or style. A certain responsibility has to be assumed that budding young climbers are watching the event, and may go away and copy a stunt or climbing system, without realising the limits of the equipment. Also, potential clients need to get the right impression that professionals are considered and exacting in their approach, rather than a screaming lunatic.
If our staff were using extreme swings and rushing around, rather than a deliberate, methodical approach, I'd probably tell them to slow down and think a little more. The message coming across from the work climb is the fastest, occassionally reckless guys are being placed over the slightly slower but much smoother climbers. In our regional comps, it has often ammazed me that I can regularly place relatively low in the work climb, but still win the masters. I think the new work climb rules have addressed this, but they are not yet being used at our regional events.
As for the Masters event, I agree with Mark. I also think the masters finalists should be quizzed briefly after their climbs to give the opportunity to justify their techniques or equipment. This helps the judges decide if it was safe or necessary. I have always felt that the judges should have their scores and reasoning made available - unfortunately politics or hidden agendas could be put in play at the moment, with little justification for a score or come back.
If our staff were using extreme swings and rushing around, rather than a deliberate, methodical approach, I'd probably tell them to slow down and think a little more. The message coming across from the work climb is the fastest, occassionally reckless guys are being placed over the slightly slower but much smoother climbers. In our regional comps, it has often ammazed me that I can regularly place relatively low in the work climb, but still win the masters. I think the new work climb rules have addressed this, but they are not yet being used at our regional events.
As for the Masters event, I agree with Mark. I also think the masters finalists should be quizzed briefly after their climbs to give the opportunity to justify their techniques or equipment. This helps the judges decide if it was safe or necessary. I have always felt that the judges should have their scores and reasoning made available - unfortunately politics or hidden agendas could be put in play at the moment, with little justification for a score or come back.
