Manitoba's Jesse Antonation heads to world tree climbing competition

A Manitoba man is reaching for even greater heights as he heads south of the border to prove he is one of the best treeclimbers in the world at the sport'sworld championship.

On March 31, the best tree climbers from around the globe converge in in San Antonio, Texas for the International Tree Climbing Championships.Manitoban Jesse Antonation will be there.

"I'm going in. This to do my best. I made top10 before so I want to make top10 again," says Antonation. "It's like any Olympic athlete, really. You're going in hoping for the best. You may have a good day or you may have a bad day."

Antonation, who owns Trilogy Tree Services, will be one of 60 tree climbers from around the world competing in the four-day event. Competitors from Germany, Japan, Australia, the U.S., New Zealand and other countries will be fighting for the top spot.

Tree climbers will be facing off in five events that test their skill, speed and finesse as arborists.

The events include: work climb, speed climb, foot lock, aerial rescue and throw line.

Top finishers take home new pruning equipment. But prizes aren't the point, Antonation says.It's more about the bragging rights and sharpening your arboriculture skills, he says."It's about learning a thing or two. I want to come home with some tips and tricks."