ARB Show Open Climbing Competition Sponsored by PETZL

We invite climbers of all levels to participate in this ARB SHOW OPEN event.

Featuring the 10 Bell Challenge and the Work Climb
Climbers’ equipment must meet current best practice and industry standards.

Competition rules below

Please note:

• All activities aloft including the Work Climb event must be carried out using a personal fall protection system, comprising SRT and/or MRT, including a backup system.
• Ticket price includes entry for ARB Show 2024 and Westonbirt Arboretum on the day of your climb only.

We run two separate categories and prizes for this open event: The 10 Bell Challenge and the Work Climb; climbers can also buy a ticket to compete in both events. Places are limited due to the number of climbers we can manage each day so advance booking is recommended. If there are any remaining slots on the day, we will accept ‘walk-ins’. Our judges are there to ensure your safety during this event which is scored as much on safe climbing as it is on speed and task control. We would urge participating climbers to download and read the rules and score sheet in advance to give yourself the best chance of success.

Please read and familiarise yourself with the rules. It is the responsibility of the judges, officials, technicians, and contestants to review the rules in their entirety before the start of the competition. We know this might all sound a bit overkill and on the day we will try and guide all of the competitors as much as possible. We don’t want anyone to be disqualified but we do need to lay out some guidelines to follow.

Entry to this event costs only £25 per entry for the 10 Bell Challenge or Work Climb entries, and only £40 for climbers entering both competitions. The entry fee now includes ARB Show ticket for the day of your climb - only if booked in advance!

Ten Bell Challenge - Brief Overview

1. The competition is a test of the climber’s ability to ascend, and move throughout the canopy of a tree.

2. Ten workstations (bells) are set in the tree for the climber to visit and carry out a task mimicking a working arborist.

3. Climbers are judged on safety, being secure at the workstation, management of slack in the climbing lines and correct route planning to and from the workstations.

4. To score maximum points all ten bells must be rung; at each workstation the climber must be correctly lanyarded in, issue an audible warning (‘all clear’) and use two hands on a handsaw to ring the bell. Judges’ discretionary points may be awarded for good work positioning, maintaining a tight lanyard and good route planning.

Work Climb - Brief Overview

The Work Climb Event tests the competitor’s ability to move throughout the tree using approved tree climbing equipment, and is based on the ISA international tree climbing competition rules. The event setup is the same for all competitors. Each competitor starts from a staging area in the tree and is required to visit five workstations throughout the tree, performing a specified task at each station. Each station in the tree is equipped with a bell (or horn); the competitor shall ring the bell (or sound the horn) before continuing to the next station.

Points are scored by successfully completing the tasks described at each station and ringing the bell (or sounding the horn) with either a handsaw, pole pruner, or hand, as indicated. At certain stations, additional/bonus points can be earned. Competitors can also lose points for failing to properly complete certain other tasks.

Competitors earn subjective points based on safety, control, style, poise, and creativity, at the discretion of the judges. A competitor can be penalized for unsafe or uncontrolled acts at the discretion of the Event Head Judge. The Event Head Judge shall issue an audible warning to the competitor should this occur. A second unsafe or uncontrolled act may result in disqualification. The time limit for this event will be determined during the set-up period.

This year’s Open will be available to those booking in advance. Any available slots on the day will be offered on a first-come, first-served basis, so book in early on the day to avoid disappointment. Climbing kit may be available on the day if you fancy your chances and we can fit you in.

Please note: All climbing equipment used must be presented in good condition and be accompanied by a valid, in-date LOLER Inspection Report - if more than six months old. The LOLER Report must include all such items of equipment being used by the climber on the day, which should be highlighted in the Report so that judges can check each item.

Equipment used by the climber will be checked by the judges at the start of the climb; it is the climber’s responsibility to have equipment configured in accordance with the manufacturer’s user instructions, be in a good condition and be compliant with TG1.

Any equipment presented that doesn’t meet industry standards will result in a disqualification from the event and forfeit of the entry fee.

10 Bell Challenge Rules

Work Climb Rules

Scorecard