Low athlete to compete in the tree-climbing world championships

Alex Dubien, 33, of Low Quebec was crowned Quebec’s provincial tree-climbing champion at a competition which was held in Quebec City’s Parc du domaine de Maizeret from June 14 to 16.

Alex has been the climbing foreman at Leilak Anderson Tree Service for 8 years, and is a proud student of Leilak Anderson, the 6-time Quebec champion and North American champion who has competed world-wide.

The Pruner’s Championship is a competition of skill and movement in trees. Participants from across Quebec compete in five pruning-related events to crown Quebec’s champion. 

Events include aerial rescue, belayed speed climb, footlock, work climbs which simulate pruning mature trees as well as throwline, an event in which weights are thrown at targets up to 100 feet in order to get access to different lines in trees. These events aim to evaluate climbers overall ability, dexterity speed and proper safety knowhow. 

Overcoming his competition in 5 events, Alex will now represent Quebec in the International Society of Arboriculture’s (ISA) international tree climbing competition (ITCC) which is to be held from August 9 to 11 in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The ISA is recognized as a worldwide network for science-based information on the benefits and care of trees. The climbing competitions held throughout the world provide resources, influence, and exposure which aim to promote the professional practice of arboriculture and foster a greater worldwide awareness for the benefits of trees through research, technology, and education.