Arboriculture
Is About Continuous Learning.
Go! Go! Go! Go! Go! That was what I heard from the crowd when I’m pushing my best for the
Secured Footlock event.
All spectators had their eye on me as I was the last competitor for the day.
Before
starting the event, I told the crowd that the objective for me was to break my
own record because I had never touched that bell 15 meters above me. The
journey seems endless when my heads up looking at the bell. All I can hear is
the cheer and the support that kept me going when I was about to give up.
‘DING’, the entire crowd when crazy about it. I received hugs, applause and
encouragement from the crowd when I came down and that was really good fun. It
was my very first attempt to compete this event and it was done in less than
one minute.
Weeks ago, I received an invitation from Singapore
Arboriculture Society (SAS) if I am interested to participate in the Asia
Pacific Tree Climbing Competition (APTCC) 2014 in Cairns, Australia. My reply
was: why not?
Taking out time from my busy schedule, I start to go
jogging, cut down on drinking, go for yoga classes, watching videos from
previous competition, planning my gears and get guidance from experienced
climber here in Singapore. It was a time juggle between training for skills and
stamina, work, family and other regular commitment. The 3 weeks preparation did
drove me to be discipline towards a set of fixed committed time.
The Singapore Team had our gears check when we arrived at
the event site. While Rick was organizing with the judges, Lee and I ensured that
all of our gears were in good working conditions and qualify the competition
requirements.
The competition rules were set and reviewed constantly by
ISA. In the 5 event stations, I gained different experiences.
During the Singapore Tree Climbing Competition 2013 (STCC),
I have been ambitious on gaining points at the Throwline event but I received zero. After studying the scoring
system, I made a strategy to score at least one confident target for APTCC, and
I did! The biggest take back for this event was to remain calm and relax, but
focus.
The APTCC organization made the Aerial Rescue event very realistic to factual work. Not realizing
that if I were to borrow ropes and ascenders from other participants, it will
not suit my climbing style and may cause accident instead of competition. I did
not bring my usual ropes. The gear I had was not ready for this event and it
had to be thought about when getting back to Singapore for work and improve on
it.
Belayed Speed Climb event
was one of the most entertaining stations. It relates stories from the elderly
tree worker in Singapore when they said that they didn’t have any safety
harness when they climb trees in the past. Again, it was also about cheering
each other in this station and had made the event in high-spirited.
Be it fated, I was in the same group with the 2 times World
Champion from New Zealand. This allows me to move in-group with him, witnessed
his skills and get advice from him. Before starting the Work Climb event, both of us were on the tree and he advised me: be calm. Although the trees species in
Cairns are not much of a difference with Singapore, I didn’t do better than my
previous competition. I was looking out where the bell was during the
competition instead of knowing where and how I should access to it before start.
In the past, I strongly believed in: lets
get up there and will know better what to do. This event proves me wrong.
The best 3 scored climbers from APTCC will enter a Masters’ Challenge. It had a different
set of tasks to be completed. I was very honored able to witness the world-class
climbers performing live. The champion will represent Asia Pacific region to
compete in the International Tree Climbing Competition (ITCC).
As a novice climber, there was fear in me that I will not
able to do it, I will lose face, I will make myself like a clown when I am not
doing well. I fear because I am competing with world-class climber. I
previously wanted to train and climb by myself until I am good, then enter the
event. The purpose: to win. In fact, there is something so special with tree
climbers is that everyone encouraged each other, giving pointers when one is
competing, building comradeship, encouragement and willing to share knowledge.
I put the fear aside, knowing that I participate this event for another reason.
To learn, experience, have fun and make friends.
There was a good mix age of climbers from the region. I spotted
the young climbers in their early 20s entering the industry and had passion
with pride on what they are doing. The lady climbers absolutely convinced me
that gender is not a barrier in the work but it’s the attitude.
Organizer for APTCC 2014 had showcased a well planned total
event, integrating logistic such as set up, schedule, sponsors, industry out
reach, volunteers, and networking opportunity.
Yes, I have done it, did it. After reading this, pick up a
throw bag and do what a real arborist should be doing, with a right attitude.
I would like to thank Singapore Arboriculture Society and
San Lim Transport & Construction Pte Ltd for the support and giving me this
chance of my lifetime in this event. It parked a chapter of my life story for
my grand children to read.
