Chris Sallows, a local ISA certified arborist, has broken a world record by ascending 50 feet of rope in 8.8 seconds.
Now holding both the world and Ontario records, Sallows feels fortunate to have finally achieved this goal.
“The feeling you get while climbing is the closest thing you can get to flying, but you can also feel the energy from the trees and everything else,” admitted Sallows.
“Once you have the itch it’s in your blood. That level of communing with nature really can’t be matched.”
Sallows got into arboriculture accidentally, and he worked as a green’s keeper at the Maitland Golf Course for a couple of years before finding a spot at the Goderich Parks Department.
While he was with Goderich Parks, Sallows was cutting grass and putting together flower beds, but said there was something missing.
“I had an itch I couldn’t scratch that led me to the arborist apprenticeship back at Lambton,” said Sallows.
“It was to keep me busy in the winter since things were slow. When the Parks union realized there wasn’t wording in the CBA for apprentices, I gave my notice and was into production tree work almost immediately.”
Sallows has been climbing trees for 15 years and has been in the green industry for about 20 years. He continues to be up to date on his certifications and credentials by going to trade shows, competitions and through training.
“I guess you could say it’s my passion,” Sallows remarked.
Sallows’ wife Ashley admits that he is happiest when in the trees; he even proposed to Ashley in a tree.
For Ashley, his ability to always make climbing fun and turn setbacks into learning opportunities has been incredible to watch and has provided an example to the pair’s two daughters on what it takes to pursue your dreams.
“He’s dedicated and absolutely passionate about what he does, and we couldn’t be prouder of him,” added Ashley.
Now an ISA certified arborist, Sallows has recently been involved in competitions that emulate the work he does.
Competitions are broken down into five preliminary events: Throwline, which is how arborists set ropes in trees; Belayed Speed Climb, which is like bouldering; Ascent, which is getting up a rope as fast as possible; Aerial Rescue, where you rescue a dummy in a preset simulated dangerous situation; Work Climb, which is a top-down obstacle course within a five-minute cutoff.
“Ontario has some especially skilled climbers, being one of the largest chapters,” Sallows explained, adding that he made it to the master’s this year, but only finished fourth overall.
The top male and female competitors go to a Master’s Challenge final, where the best scoring climbers win and advance into the next levels – North America and Internationals.
The Ascent Speed Record is relatively new since COVID. The structure is modelled after the Static Foot-locking Speed time, which was phased out between 2017 and 018 for this more modern representation of tree work.
According to Sallows, the record is challenged in a head-to-head format at higher level non-chapter competitions like the North American, Europe or International levels.
Other chapters have begun to allow the top three to five ascent event winners, both male and female, to challenge the standing records for 15m or 49 feet two inches and a half.
The standing women’s time is 12.99 held by Jess Hamer in Australia, and now, the new men’s record is 8.80 held by Sallows.
Although Sallows credits his success to his speed, he admits that a lot of other variables play into his success such as gear type, adjustments, dialling and training, including physical conditioning.
“I am really fortunate to have finally achieved the goal, although I’m a little put off by my times in training versus the time I put down at the competition,” admitted Sallows.
“It will be easier to improve on next season. It’s easier to learn from your mistakes than it is from achieving goals. I’m figuring our where the hidden lessons are in this.”
Sallows, who climbs for himself, is not sure what is next after breaking the ascent record. He would like to take a short break before taking another approach or direction in competitions, as he is not done with competing.
“I’m not done, I have had too much fun and enjoy the process of competing too much,” added Sallows.
“I just can’t turn the competitiveness off just yet.”
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