JESSE NEILL

THE Kapunda community is hailing the 2019 ‘Branched Out’ event as a huge success for the town and the region.

The world’s biggest international freestyle tree-climbing competition was held in the township on Friday and Saturday, and organised by Arboriculture Australia in partnership with Red Bull.

Light Regional Council estimated that $400,000 dollars was injected into the local and regional economy thanks to the event.

Mayor Bill O’Brien said the two-day spectacle was a great success, and the feedback from locals and visitors was overwhelmingly positive.

“It’s the most outstanding event our council has presented in years and is the biggest international event to ever come to the region,” he said.

“I take my hat off to the organisers of the event and the sponsors.

“It’s a great boost for the town’s confidence to be able to stage major events, and hopefully we can continue this in the future.”

Community and sports groups, and local businesses kept the climbers and officials well fed and equipped, with reports of more than a 50 per cent increase in trade for local operators and record takings in fundraising.

Many climbers, crew, sponsors and their families stayed locally in the lead up to, and following, Branched Out.

The town saw 155 climbers from 14 countries participate in the competition, while more than 2500 people visited Davidson Reserve across the two competition days.

Competitor Matt Dawkins travelled from Melbourne and said it was a great experience to “meet people from so many different places”.

“People have come from all over to take part in this event and it’s got such a great community atmosphere – everyone’s really supportive,” he said.

“I did it for a bit of fun, but some of these sponsored guys are professionals and train for months in the lead-up.

“They’re insanely good at what they do and zip down the trees real quick, it’s amazing to watch.

“I think I did alright in my time trial, but I forgot how unfit I was – I’ve had a lot of fun here, though.”

The event itself saw competitors limb walking, swinging, jumping and climbing up and down a challenging circuit on a 30-metre gum tree.

New Zealand’s Scott Forrest was crowned the 2019 Branched Out champion on Saturday evening.