MSA Tree Climbing Championship &
​Festival of Trees​

THEODORE WIRTH PARK  //  MINNEAPOLIS, MN
MAY 16-18, 2025 

LOCATION:
Theodore Wirth Park (Wirth Beach & Wirth Picnic Pavilion area)
3275 Glenwood Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55405
Click here to view the Event Map
​
PARKING:
There is very limited onsite parking at this area of Theodore Wirth Park. Parking areas will fill up quickly, especially on Saturday. Consider carpooling or ridesharing to the event! View the Event Map for offsite parking area suggestions.

​2025 TCC Volunteer Information Packet  

Thanks so much for choosing to volunteer your time for TCC! This event cannot occur without a tremendous amount of volunteer support! Please know your time and contribution is greatly appreciated by the MSA Board, the TCC Committee, and most especially the climbers!

Volunteer Packet – includes schedule, volunteer assignments, schedule, and more!

Volunteer Registration

​We could still use a few more techs and timers for Saturday! Sign up here if you are able to join us 

Schedule of Events At-A-Glance​

Subject to change.  ​

Thursday, May 15​
All Day  |  TCC Event Setup Day – Select TCC Volunteers​
​
​​Friday, May 16 
All Day  |  TCC Event Set Up & Meetings – Judges and Techs
​3:00 – 8:00 PM  |  ​​Mandatory TCC Competitor Check In & Gear Check Meeting

Saturday, May 17 
6:00 AM  |  Competitor & Volunteer Check-in & Pre-Stage
7:00 AM – 5:00 PM  |  Competition – Preliminary Events
​10:00 AM – 3:00 PM  |  FESTIVAL OF TREES  
~5:00 PM |  TCC Awards & Celebration Dinner (free for TCC climbers & volunteers. Guest tickets available for purchase)

Sunday, May 18**
7:00 AM  |  TCC Masters’ Challenge Volunteer Check-in
8:00 AM  |  TCC Masters’ Challenge Competitor Check-in
9:00 AM  |  TCC Masters’ Challenge Competition

*Times subject to change. **Masters’ Challenge start times will depend on results from Saturday.

​2025 Registration Information​​​ 

• Up to 60 in-state Competitors will be accepted.
• Up to 5 Guest Competitors will be accepted.  
• The deadline to register is April 25, or when capacity is reached. Spots are expected to fill very quickly, and late or walk-in registration will not be allowed, so don’t wait! 
• Once capacity is reached, a waitlist will open. 
• If you end up on the waitlist, don’t consider yourself out of the competition! We went through the entire waitlist in 2024. If a spot becomes available, we will offer it to the next climber on the waitlist up until Thursday, May 15, the day before check-in. 
• All climbers must be MSA Chapter Members at the time of the competition in order to compete.
• All climbers must read through and abide by the MSA TCC Policy. 
• All climbers must read through and abide by the MSA Code of Conduct. 
• MSA Cancellation Policy: Cancellations notices received on or before May 9 will receive a refund of their registration. No refunds will be issued for cancellations after May 9.
• ​​Please be sure to review the following materials before registering:
  • MSA Event Code of Conduct 
  • MSA TCC Policy 
  • ITCC Rules 
  • Gear Inspection Information & Form 

Climber Registration Fee Includes

• Gear Inspection
• Competition Shirt
• Breakfast, Lunch, and Snacks on Saturday, May 17
• Awards dinner on Saturday, May 17
• 3 ISA CEUs for the completion of events

​About the Competition

​TCC simulates working conditions of arborists in the field. Competitors perform five different events during preliminary rounds to qualify for the championship. Each event tests a competitor’s ability to professionally and safely maneuver in a tree while performing work-related tree-care tasks in a timely manner.

Preliminary Qualifying Events
​Competitors are scored individually in each event-Aerial Rescue, Work Climb, Ascent, Belayed Speed Climb, and Throwline. The competitor with the highest score is the winner of that event. First, second, and third place for men and women are awarded for each event. Competitors’ total scores for all five events are combined and the male and female competitors with the highest combined score from the preliminary events move on to the Masters’ Challenge Championship.​

Masters’ Challenge
​The Masters’ Challenge consists of one event and competitors are scored on technique and skill. The competitors in this round with the highest score are named the male and female Minnesota Champions and have the opportunity to represent Minnesota at the International Tree Climbing Championship. 

Review the ISA International Tree Climbing Championship for full rules and competition details. 

2024 Results

Congratulations to the 2024 Masters’ Challenge Champions!
Women’s Champion: Sydney Hudzinski
​Men’s Champion: Taylor Hamel

Click here for the 2024 Preliminary Results
​Click here for a list of Past MSA TCC Winners