Stevens Goes “Down Under” to Climb to the Top Is "Best in the West" in Belayed Speed Climb
PHOENIX, Arizona (September 20, 2011) – Daniel Stevens climbed to the No. 2 spot in at the 2011 ISA International Tree Climbing Championships that were held in Sydney, Australia July 23 – 24. Stevens placed second in the world in the belayed speed climb with a time of 25:90 seconds and finished as the sixth-best climber overall in the World at the international championships, which drew 62 of the world's best climbers from 19 countries. All 62 competitors advanced from regional competitions in their own countries to qualify for the international climbs.
Stevens placed second in belayed speed climb, placing behind Mark Chisolm, from New Jersey, with a time of 24:82. Chisolm won the ITCC 2010 championships. Placing sixth overall in the world, Stevens' competitors who placed first through fifth included No. 1 Scott Forrest of New Zealand, No. 2 Jared Abrojena form the U.S., No. 3 Joe Harris from Australia, No. 4 Johan Gustavsson from Sweden, No. 5 Jonathon Turnball from the UK.
“Three big cheers for Daniel Stevens, who competed against the best of the best from around the world,“ said Conni Ingallina, executive director of the Arizona Community Tree Council. Stevens has been an ACTC board member for five years and volunteers for ACTC, teaching proper tree care. "Dan's belayed speed time makes him the 'Best in the West!' " exclaimed Ingallina. “Congratulations, Dan, for a climb well done!”
Male and female competitors performed five different events -- aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, secured footlock, throwline and work climb -- in the ITC championships. Each event tests a competitor's ability to professionally and safely maneuver in a tree to care for it with minimal impact to the health of the tree. The tree climbing competition simulates working conditions of arborists in the field. On an average work day, climbing arborists work in the trees using ropes and harnesses to safely perform skillful tasks to care for and maintain trees.
Stevens of Mesa, Arizona, competed in his second ITCC this year. He has been climbing for 10 years, and has a fastest footlock time of 15.5 seconds. Stevens became an ISA Certified Arborist in 2003 and is also a Certified Tree Worker. Stevens and his wife, Heather, own their own company, Living Tree Service, Inc. He continues to work daily in the field with his teams and to serve the community with Heather. Through the Arizona Community Tree Council, Stevens promotes education by teaching tree seminars on proper tree care, safety, and ISA standards. He and Heather have three children. Stevens also enjoys hiking, cycling, camping, and rock climbing with his family.
About the Arizona Community Tree Council
The Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc. (ACTC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the care and planting of trees, and promotes the education and exchange of information about trees and the essential role they play in the well being of all Arizona communities. The Council is composed of representatives from individual Arizona counties, tribal communities, government agencies, professional organizations and other individuals who have a statewide interest in the Council’s mission.
Arizona Community Tree Council, Inc.
7949 E. Acoma Dr, #207
Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Contact: Conni Ingallina, ED, Arizona Community Tree Council
