KAPUNDA is set to host the popular 2019 Red Bull ‘Branched Out’ international freestyle tree-climbing competition next month.
Arboriculture Australia is organising the event in partnership with Red Bull and has secured the largest prize pool of any tree-climbing competition globally with $25,000 of cash up for grabs, and a total of $50,000 worth of equipment and kit.
The competition will see professional tree climbers from 14 countries start at the top of the gum trees in Kapunda’s Davidson Reserve and swing from fixed ropes, hitting several targets as they descend towards the ground.
Event organiser Craig Hallam said it’s the first time the event has been held in South Australia, with the size of the prize pool and number of competitors making it the largest tree climbing competition in the world.
“Arboriculture Australia brings the free Red Bull ‘Branched Out’ event to towns where the community has the opportunity to benefit economically from the event,” he said.
Over 150 participants have signed up to swing, limb walk and jump to secure the prize pool and be crowned the winner of the ‘Branched Out’ competition.
Light Regional Council mayor Bill O’Brien said he is “immensely proud” of the community in Kapunda for “embracing this wonderful economic opportunity”.
“(This) event, along with Kapunda being a finalist in the 2019 Ag Town of the Year Award, continues to echo what us as locals all know – that Kapunda has an enviable lifestyle,” he said.
“We very much look forward to welcoming the many competitors, their supporters, the event crew and the regional and international visitors the event will attract to Light region and the Barossa.”
Spectators can watch the tree climbers for free at Davidson Reserve from Thursday, October 17 for a practice session, which will be followed by a competition gear check and barbecue at the new Kapunda Town Square on Main Street.
The following two days will see various events that will test climbers’ skills and agility, before the male and female champions are crowned on Saturday evening, October 19.