Southern Chapter ISA Climbing Championship

Dan Flinn · Mar 25, 2003

I went to the ISA Southern Chapter climbing championships thie weekend. UNBELIEVABLE! After watching those guys in a tree, I feel like an elephant plodding about in a canopy.

If you've never seen one of these, I highly reccomend attending. Speaking with the climbers between events and watching their techniques......I learned so much! There really is no way to explain.

Some of the aerial rescue stuff was impressive.....

Anyway, I won't bore you with the details.....Heck, I can't wait to get into a tree to try some of this stuff!

Dan

rahtreelimbs · Mar 26, 2003

I can relate to this. After attending 5 or 6 Jamborees, I come home very impressed. These guys are the cream of the crop.

Crispin Hoar · Mar 26, 2003

Dan did you compete? Did you hang out with the other climbers after the jamboree? Did you come early and stay late? I do. If you can get to an international it is all regional champions. The best of the best. State of the art climbing. Cutting edge technique and tools.

In 1994 in Halifax I met up with Ken Palmer and others getting used to the trees of the region. I spent five hours that day climbing with the world champion, the German, UK, and Oregan champions. The next day watched them in competion. And after that we all went out for lobster and beer. You think you have things to try?

Any chance of meeting up in Montreal and doing some climbing?

ramanujan · Mar 28, 2003

pacific northwest is coming up soon may third, i'm competing... so if three or four climbers break their legs or something i may go to montreal...

Dan Flinn · Apr 1, 2003

Crispin,

Sorry it took so long to get back.....busy! busy! busy!

I did hang out with the climbers after the masters challenge. What a great bunch of guys....I felt like a stupid groupie, but I had to pick their brains!

No, I didn't compete. You'd need a calendar to time me footlocking! I could probable handle (although not competitavely) the throw bag, work climb, rescue, but the footlock and free climb NO WAY!

For now, I can't wait to use that redirect Eddie showed me.....

Dan

Crispin Hoar · Apr 1, 2003

Dan thats how I felt the first time I competed. I had never seen the competition before and wanted to see one. I was unsure if I would compete but did have my gear(other than work boots) in the trunk. I was strong armed into competing using someone elses boots. We changed boots back and forth all day. That year we had 8 in the competition. At the awards that night I was shocked to win. That was in 1990. Today I help set up the event and leave the competing to men 15 to 20 years younger. I still learn each year and look forward to the event. I have even gone to competition in other chapters. I would say keep in touch with other climbers and get together and climb whenever possible.

jblimbwalker · Apr 7, 2003

I am fortunate enough to have a boss that took the crew to Asheville to the climbing championship. All expenses paid and even gave us a hundred bucks each to spend at the trade show. Watching these climbers was one of the most motivating experiences I have had since I started doing tree work 10 yrs. ago. I didn't know what I was missing by not attending in the past. If any of you guys have never been to a competition I strongly advise that you get around to it when able. Also, congratulations to Jim Harris of Atlanta for winning overall and to Willie Shultz on winning the throw ball. Now I have my sights on entering a jamboree and am spending every weekend training, especially now that I know what I need to improve upon and what the judges are looking for. I've attached a pic of an unknown climber in the work climb event.