Competition.

June was a busy month for us with work and also on the competition scene. From JAMBO to the New York competition, we were able to catch up with old friends and really test our skills as production climbers under the clock and the watchful eyes of the judges.

It always amazes me how critical style and control are in making great scores at the tree climbing competitions. The old saying "slow is smooth and smooth is fast" constantly echoes in my mind while I work through the stations, but my heart rate and anxiety always seems to get the best of me and somehow erode my score.

It's the little things that go such a long way. Smooth entry and exit of the station, effortless lanyard installation and storage, calculated swings, confident handsaw control and overall site awareness are only a few of the details that can help beef up a climber's score.

Time is of course an issue, but in my opinion it's an overated detail of the day. Of course, in events like the footlock and belayed speed climb, time is of the essence. But in the work climb I'm sure I have lost valuable discretionary points trying to rush through certain aspects of the climb worrying about my time. Unfortunately, it's a necessary evil and usually separates the great from the average.

The points are everywhere around us. And even when you're not having the best day skill wise, it's so important to not forget that every point you can scrape together is critical. 3 points here, 1 point there and before you know it the momentum is growing. A bad throw, maybe a fumble of the handsaw, these things happen. And that's what I love about the competitions. Trying to piece together that perfect climb in front of the judges, that climb that I know all great arborists are capable of.