The second annual California Line Clearance Competition was held at Mare Island on June 13, bringing together 400 people and some of the state’s top line clearance professionals to showcase the skill, teamwork, and precision required to safely maintain California’s electric system.
The competition featured 12 two-person teams from contractors across the state competing in five events that simulated real-world line clearance work, including rigging, aerial operations, speed lining, rope ascents, and climbing challenges. Competitors were judged on speed, safety, communication, and accuracy.
“Tree work isn’t something a lot of people get to see or know much about,” said IBEW 1245 Business Representative Francisco “Cisco” Ferreyra. “Being able to have our members compete and show the unique skill set this work takes—and watching their families be there and cheer them on was amazing.”
“These crews perform highly skilled work under challenging conditions every day,” said 1245 Business Manager Bob Dean. “This competition is a chance to see that skill up close and cheer on our crews who help keep the lights on and reduce wildfire risk.”
One event in particular captured the attention of the crowd.
The Afterburner Open Ascent challenged climbers to race up a free-hanging rope to ring a bell suspended 50 or 105 feet above the ground. The display of speed, strength, and technique drew some of the loudest cheers of the day.
“I think that event stood out the most because of how difficult it is and how high they had to go,” Ferreyra said. “They’re literally running up a rope.”
Rheten Kaiser of the Bark Beetles reached the 105-foot bell in an astonishing 29 seconds, while Omar Villafana of 48 Hours posted the fastest 50-foot ascent with a time of 16 seconds.
The competition also highlighted the teamwork that defines the trade. Competitor Taylor Stonebridge, a line clearance arborist with Utility Tree Service in Los Gatos, said preparation started early.
“Our team started practicing about a month before the competition,” Stonebridge said. “There were nights we stayed out until 9 p.m. practicing.”
“This work requires a unique combination of technical knowledge, physical ability, and sound judgment,” said Senior Assistant Business Manager Ralph Armstrong. “Our members understand tree species, identify and evaluate hazards and make the right decisions every time they leave the ground.”
Those skills are becoming increasingly important as California continues to face the threat of catastrophic wildfires.
“These trees never stop growing,” Ferreyra said. “A lot of the work we do is in high fire-threat areas. We have to continually mitigate those risks.”
After competing with The Tree Amigos, line clearance arborist Yovany Garcia, a journeyman with Utility Tree Service in Mountain View, said he plans to return next year and hopes the competition continues to grow. “If you like trees and you have guys that like tree work, you have to bring them to these events,” Garcia said. “The only thing that could make this event better is making it even bigger.”
Asked what advice he’d give someone interested in becoming a line clearance arborist, Taylor Stonebridge summed it up very simply.
“You’ve got to be brave.”
Congratulations to all of this year’s competitors.
Competition Results
Overall Champions
🥇1st Place – Spar Wars (Mountain F Enterprises)
Returning Champions: Nicholas Dorer & Ramon Rodriguez
Best Performances in: Maverick & Goose Relay, Danger Zone Rigging, Need for Speed Line and Afterburner Open Ascent.
Overall Time: 13:20
🥈 2nd Place – Weirdo Beardos (Tree Service Unlimited)
Nate Hollingsworth & Curtis Herren
Overall Time: 18:03
🥉 3rd Place – Bark Beetles (Mountain F Enterprises)
Returning 3rd Place Finishers: Gonzalo Chavez & Rheten Kaiser
Highlights: Best Performance in Buzz the Tower Aerial Operation and Rheten Kaiser completed the 105′ Afterburner Open Ascent in an impressive 29 seconds.
Overall Time: 18:18
4th Place – Barking Up the Wrong Tree (Wright Tree Service)
Marc Burnett & Matt Paschen
Overall Time: 19:29
5th Place – Knot Normal (PG&E)
Blue Warrior Sauceda (SVMI) & Omar Villafana (VOI)
Highlights: Omar Villafana recorded the fastest 50′ Afterburner Open Ascent with a time of 16 seconds and Finished 2nd in both the Maverick & Goose Relay and Need for Speed Line events.
Overall Time: 20:02
Top 3 in Each Event:
Maverick & Goose Relay
- Spar Wars, MFE
- Knot Normal, PG&E
- Barking Up The Wrong Tree, WTS
Danger Zone
- Spar Wars, MFE
- Arborcide, WTS
- Barking Up The Wrong Tree, WTS
Need for Speed Line
- Spar Wars, MFE
- Knot Normal, PG&E
- Bark Beetles, MFE
Afterburner
- Spar Wars, MFE
- Bark Beetles, MFE
- The Carabiners, CTC
Buzz the Tower
- Bark Beetles, MFE
- Last Picks, TSU
- Barking Up The Wrong Tree, WTS