Olds' Dwayne "D.J." Neustaeter finished first in the Belayed Speed Climb event at the Prairie Chapter Tree Climbing Championship held at Olds College this month.
Neustaeter climbed a 60-foot spruce tree in 19.2 seconds. He was secured during his ascent but was only allowed to climb the tree, not the rope. He added it's a good idea to plan a route to the top before jumping into it.
The tree was also friendly to climbers.
"(The tree) did have a lot of limbs so it was fairly easy. It gets really narrow at the top so you really have to scramble between branches. That's where a lot of people got slowed down," he said.
"As soon as that last foot leaves the ground, you just rocket up there as fast as you can. It's pretty fun. It's a good event."
There were five events Neustaeter took part in that weekend, in addition to the speed climb. They were the work climb, aerial rescue, throwline and secured footlock.
Neustaeter is entering his second year at the University of British Columbia studying urban forestry. He has been working as an arborist at Bartlett Tree Experts in Burnaby, where he's been climbing lots.
As an arborist, he's concerned with the maintenance and health of trees. Some of his work includes pruning trees that have been "loaded in funny ways" or damaged in storms and need sections removed for the safety of those who walk beneath them.
"There are a lot of studies that go into what's best to do with a tree. So taking out deadwood from a tree, sometimes we thin trees to let sunlight penetrate into certain areas and allow a tree to grow. Also partially controlling the way it grows through pruning, making sure there aren't co-dominant stems and that it's a good, healthy tree," he said.
One day, he would like to take over his parents' company, Arboriculture Canada Training and Education Ltd.
He's always liked the unique challenge each tree presents him.
"They're like people. It's a completely different scenario with every single tree. There's always a new challenge that a tree brings when you go and climb it and they hold many secrets and mysteries and they're kind of cool creations to work with."
Neustaeter, a former Olds High School Spartans football player, has made his way to the top of the UBC Thunderbirds' depth chart for running backs and expects to start next season.
"I had a really good spring camp. Our spring camp was held a few weeks ago and we've got a couple new recruits that have come in from high school,” he said.
"It's a great opportunity and I'm just burning to make my mark in the CIS."
He spent last season on the Vanier Cup-winning team's travel roster, playing second string.
"We've got a lot of pressure being defending national champions and we've got to come out of the woodwork here and defend our title. That's the objective for this season.”
"As soon as that last foot leaves the ground, you just rocket up there as fast as you can. It's pretty fun. It's a good event." D.J. Neustaeter
