2025 Waikato/ Bay of Plenty Regional Tree Climbing Competition

NZ Arb
Jul 21
3 min read

Updated: Jul 22

On Saturday April 5th Hamilton Lake Domain hosted the third regional competition in the Husqvarna NZARB Tree Climbing series for 2025. 34 climbers were in attendance supported by 34 volunteers.

The competition was amongst a stand of broadleaf trees including Quercus canariensis, Q. robur, and Liriodendron tulipifera, with the Belayed Speed Climb in a Cupressus macrocarpa, all with a nice view across the lake.

Huge thanks to the setup crew that worked tirelessly in the rain on the Friday, to put together a great event. 14 volunteers helped out on the day. Thanks again to all involved.

Saturday brought fine weather with only a couple of showers and the day went well without any trouble.

Groundzone came on board as sponsors for the volunteer’s lunches providing morning coffees and a great feed of Subway for Lunch. Thanks again Matt and Anna from Groundzone.

As always, Husqvarna provided a huge number of prizes, along with Treetools supplying a custom Protos Helmet which all climbers and volunteers when into the draw for. Thanks again Husqvarna and Treetools.

The Treescape Throwline event was won by Joshua Talsma and Stephanie Dryfhout. Big thanks go to Tom Crawford and Yoan Willman for judging this event.

The Silky Saws Aerial Rescue was held in an Algerian Oak where Woody was placed well out along a long lateral limb. Congratulations to Noel Galloway and Stephanie Dryfhout for winning the rescue event. Big thanks to Andy Harrison, Richie Homes, Daniel Hair, Simon Ussher, and Sean Allen for their work judging and facilitating this event.

The AB Equipment Belayed Speed Climb was quicker than expected with several times below the 20 second mark. The fastest times went to Jordan Connolly and Stephanie Dryfhout. Big thanks to Rick Jobbit for travelling south to lead the judging team which included Shaun Willets, Shane Dennis, and Peter Dennis.

The Donaghys Ascent event was won by Jonny Muirhead and Stephanie Dryfhout. Chris Van Drimmelin and Luke Hammond shared the role of head judge. Thanks to you both for your outstanding efforts. Thanks also go to Charlie Zhou, Zayn Going, Poppy Grant, Chantelle Goodman, and Caitlyn Crane for their assistance with time keeping.

The TreeHub work climb was held in an Algerian Oak, and even though it wasn’t a large tree, the set-up crew managed to still make it a challenge for the competitors. I thoroughly enjoyed watching it. The winners were Matt Glen and Stephanie Dryfhout. Huge thanks to Paul Kenny, Andy Neverman, Paul Connolly, and Jesse Eckart for judging and facilitating this one.

Ben Fentiman of Branch Dwellers was kept busy all day with some very enthusiastic kids at the Kids Climb held in a nice spreading Linden.

Other key roles on the day were Craig Webb – Head Judge, Jamie Brunt – Head Tech, Nicki Gibbs – Scorer, Scott Geddes – social media, and Michael Mortenson – runner. Thanks heaps to you all for help.

Congratulations to all climbers and well done to everyone involved for representing NZARB and all New Zealand arborists at such a high standard.

Results:

AB Equipment Belayed Speed Climb.

Men:

1^st Jordan Connolly

2^nd Jeremy Millar

3^rd Jonny Muirhead

Woman:

1^st Stephanie Dryfhout

2^nd Riley Reid

Donaghys Ascent Event.

Men: