Hawke's Bay Show-goers will get an extra thrill thanks to world champion speed climber Stirling Hart.
Using just spurs and a rope he climbs wooden posts at high speed, up and down 30 metres in 23.33 seconds.
The Canadian has had a good year, winning three world titles.
"I started climbing at the age of four when my Dad got me started," Hart said. "He is an eight-time former world champion in speed climbing."
He was coming to the show as part of the Ramsey Roundwood Lumberjack Show. It was his sixth New Zealand visit since 2007. "Speed climbing has traditionally been a North American event. I compete all over Canada and the States every year."
Speed-climbing competitions took place in Australasia and in Europe, but climbers only had to climb to the top of the tree and were lowered down once they reach the top.
"Coming down the tree at high speeds is what makes North American speed climbing special. We legally have to touch the tree every seven metres on the way down," he said. "There are a couple of guys in the world, including myself, that can come down a 25-metre pole in under four seconds."
Ramsey Roundwood owner and operator, Ben James, said the performance was usually a feature of any show because it was different. "It's about full-on entertainment. People laughing, clapping, cheering. We use lumber sports and the history of logging to create a little play."
A similar show in Canada inspired Mr James to develop a local version. "What they do is pretty amazing. We put a lot of effort in to make sure the crowd makes a lot of noise."
Three performances a day would keep the team busy, but they were also doing log rolling at the shepherd's challenge and the Show Girls competition would include some climbing.
Thrills in store for Hawke's Bay show-goers
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