Fleming College students get ready for 24th annual Tree Climbing Competition

'We have a tree rescue, we’ve got a work climb, a throw-ball event, we do a belayed speed climb and something called a stationary rope,' said program coordinator Brian Saxon.

Arboriculture students at Fleming College’s Frost Campus in Lindsay Ont., are getting ready for more than just graduation. They are also training for the annual Fleming College Tree Climbing Competition.

Program Coordinator Brian Saxon said it is a way for students to put what they’ve learned throughout the year to the test.

“It is just something that we put on to highlight the student’s skills,” he said.

“We have a tree rescue, we’ve got a work climb, also we have a throw-ball event, we do a belayed speed climb and something called a stationary rope.”

The event is now in its 24th year. Co-op student Claire Keays said she is looking forward to seeing how she has grown in the program.

“I’m excited to just see personally what I have learned throughout the program and see how I can do in comparison to everyone else,” said Keays.

And while she is excited to compete, she said she is also eager for her future in the industry.

“I love working outside and really enjoy nature and really like working at heights and climbing so when I found out you can combine both of them, I decided it was a career I wanted to get into,” said Keays.