Local Man To Compete In Olympics Of Tree Climbing

By Benjy Lipsman in News on Aug 8, 2012 8:20PM

With the Olympics in London currently taking place, we're learning about all sorts of unusual sports... synchronized diving, triple jump, dressage, soccer. But some sports are even too obscure for the Summer Games. Still, that doesn't mean they can't have international competitions to determine who is the world's best. Beau Nagan, from suburban Westchester, will compete in the International Tree Climbing Championship in Portland, Ore. this weekend in hopes of bring home the gold in his sport.

The 32-year-old Nagan is a competitive tree climber who will compete in five events that include climbing a 60-foot rope into the treetops (belayed speed climb), an aerial rescue, secured footlock ascent, throwline, and a work climb encompassing a number of skill stations. When not competing, Nagan works as an arborist for the Morton Arboretum, helping the nature preserve care for its trees. He grew up climbing trees working along side his dad, who owned a landscaping business. One of his brothers will also be competing in Portland. So these guys have a bit more skill than those of use who scurried up trees simply for fun, or to retrieve our model rockets and frisbees.