BY JOHN SUTTON
Correspondent

Mike Almendinger, Raritan, competes in the secured footlock speed climb during the recent New Jersey Tree Climbing Championship in Lincroft. Below, Ryan Decker, Califon, competes in the work climb. MIDDLETOWN - Mothers sometimes tell their children that climbing trees is dangerous and only monkeys should be up among the branches. That message obviously did not get through to these men.

The New Jersey Tree Climbing Championship Competition was held June 9 at Thompson Park, Lincroft, where 25 contestants competed in five different events. Mark Chilsom of Howell, the reigning champion and two-time international winner, was among the competitors.

An all-ages crowd of about 100 enjoyed watching grown men do what every little boy dreams of doing - if only their mothers would allow them. The men climbed for a different reason, but the innocent atmosphere still existed, even under the veil of a competition.

With children playing baseball and families having picnics nearby, the climbers took part in the work climb, aerial rescue, rope throw, belayed speed climb and secured footlock throughout the morning and afternoon. Points are earned based on times in each of the events, and an ultimate winner is chosen at the end of the day.

Many of the climbers got into tree-climbing competitions through their occupation. They are arborists and work for tree companies, allowing them to do the same things in their jobs as they do in these competitions.

Rich Huber started in tree climbing 12 years ago, and during that time he has competed against many of the same men, allowing them to develop a bond that goes beyond the competition.

"It's definitely a friendly competition," Huber said. "We all know each other through work, so we all know each other."

Among those watching the competition was Ralph Menendez of Oradell, who was there for the first time. He had heard about the event through his wife, who works in the tree business. Watching the competition, he could sense the camaraderie between the climbers as well as the judges.

"The dynamic seems to be very friendly between the climbers and even the judges, they all know each other," Menendez said. "I mean, we have kids playing baseball, people sitting in the park - the dynamic lends to the family atmosphere."

Ryan Decker, of Califon, was a part of this dynamic on Saturday as he was part of the competition. Now in his sixth year of climbing, Decker feels the event allows him to improve on his climbing because of what his fellow climbers can contribute to him.

Victor Millard drove all the way from Corvin City in Atlantic County to watch the competition. Millard hopes to one day be involved as a competitor rather than a spectator, and watched closely to learn some technique from the competition.

During the different events, words of encouragement flowed from the crowd, even from many competitors who watched their fellow climbers. Climbers were cheered on with words like "Almost there!" and "Keep it up!"

"It is like a brotherhood," Decker said. "You only get support and constructive criticism from them."