I Went to a Tree-Climbing Championship in Prague

When I was ten years old I was the best tree climber in my entire Czech village. Whenever a frisbee or cat got stuck in a tree, I was the person people would call on, like a tiny provincial super hero. Last week, however, I was suitably humbled when I attended the Czech Tree Climbing championship.

I got to the park in the Branik neighbourhood of Prague early in the morning of August 16, expecting to see a bunch of well-meaning, ukelele-playing hippies hanging from tree branches. So I was surprised to find the place packed with burly, barrel-chested men carrying their weight in climbing gear. The word "arboriculture" was printed on every sign and pamphlet, and uttered in every conversation. To these men, climbing trees was a way of life.

I felt like a fish out of water, or a monkey without a tree. Thankfully I had just been introduced to tree-climbing champion Tomáš Gut, who was kind enough to explain what "arboriculture" means, as well as give me some insight into the complicated world of tree climbing.

VICE: Hello, Tomáš. Could you please explain what the term "arboriculture" means and what it has to do with tree climbing?****
*Tomáš Gut:* Well, actually arboriculture and tree climbing are two different things. Arboriculture is a complex science that combines a knowledge of dendrology, phytology, physiology, and mechanics. Tree climbing involves certain techniques of moving and working on a tree safely.

Do you have to study arboriculture to become a skilled tree climber?
I have studied gardening, so it is not so important. What is crucial to tree climbing is the European Tree Worker (ETW) exam, which is actually pretty hard. It is the most complex exam in the field of arboriculture. But you can't work as a tree climber if you don't pass it.

Tomáš Gut (left) preparing to 'Rescue the Injured'

I thought tree climbing was a hobby.
To me, it’s a job like any other. I make a living by looking after trees and tree climbing is an inseparable part of it. The races and this championship are a celebration of that. People meet, share their experiences from work, and compare their gear. It’s a social event for us arborists that also promotes our little-known discipline.

What do you actually do?
A part of what I do is cutting down trees. That's the riskiest part of it, for sure. But I am also involved in reforestation, the revitalisation of parks—which is now being financed by the EU—conservation treatments and so on.

Back to the sport: I noticed there are five disciplines in tree climbing.
That’s right, there are five of them: Work on a Tree Top, Installation of a Rope to a Tree Top, Secured Climbing, Climbing on the Branches, and Saving the Injured. There is a certain time limit for all of them, but only Secured Climbing and Climbing on the Branches are judged on speed. The rest are evaluated according to performance.

For example during the Work on a Tree Top, you have to do five stands; Manual Saw, Telescopic Saw, Warthog Throw, Branch Walking and Soft Descend to the Ground. Saving the Injured involves a figurine that is hanging from the tree top, which you have to take safely down to the ground. Points are counted and the three best participants move forward to the final round.

What is your favorite discipline?
It's probably Work On a Tree Top – but as I get older I'm also starting to enjoy 'Saving the Injured' because it's a discipline that allows you to show off your experience. The disciplines that are based on time are for younger tree climbers. But I’m not that old yet.

How do you prepare for each race?
I don’t. The most I'll do is go running after work and get some rest the day before. That’s about it. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest success was getting 7th place in the European Tree Climbing championship. But the fact that I am still alive is probably more important.

**I hope it stays like that. Thanks *Tomáš!***