In this series of articles, we will be sharing exclusive coverage from all aspects of APF 2022. Today we take a look at the Arb Show. 

The UK Open Tree Climbing Competition, sponsored by Harkie, tested the mettle of climbers over three different skill categories. Joel Adams came first in the Novice category with a score of 407, while the top spots in Expert and Premier were taken by George Harris (127) and Ben Batt (1104). 

Sitting alongside this event was something entirely new for the ARB Show – the Canopy Climbing Collective Reeve Competition. Also sponsored by Harkie, this have-a-go aerial rigging contest saw teams moving different loads horizontally and vertically four ways, all in an effort to win free beer and some Harkie prizes.

Forestry Journal: Emotions ran high during the throw-line competition.Emotions ran high during the throw-line competition. (Image: FJ)

It was organised by the Canopy Climbing Collective, a team of daring young arborists who have gathered a lot of attention on social media with films of their colourful – and occasionally risky – exploits in tree climbing.

Leon Hottinger said: “We wanted to create a competition that would allow anyone to take part, come and get to know us. We’ve never been able to do a face-to-face meet with anyone, because we were born out of lockdown, so it’s nice to be able to have people come chat to us and have a go.

Forestry Journal: Organised by social media sensations the Canopy Climbing Collective, the Harkie reeve competition drew good crowds of spectators and volunteers.Organised by social media sensations the Canopy Climbing Collective, the Harkie reeve competition drew good crowds of spectators and volunteers. (Image: FJ)

“The Canopy Climbing Collective got started with a group of us getting together at the weekends, outside of work to climb trees. The first thing we did was a zip line. We had loads of fun, recorded it, put it on Instagram and it snowballed from there.

“We’ve been making swings, been out to California to climb redwoods, now we’re here doing competitions, working with sponsors. It’s getting bigger and bigger. We don’t make any money out of it. It’s all about the passion of the group, which includes a good mix of people. It’s great to be at this point and get to meet people who already know what we do.”

We'll have more coverage from the Arb Show across our channels