But three years into his father’s tutelage learning the family business, the 21-year-old Machuca is aiming for heights his father has never seen - the Texas Tree Climbing Championship in Fort Worth’s Trinity Park.
The Temple High School graduate will attempt several tasks at the competition this weekend, including:
Throwing a line 50 feet into a tree crotch to tie off.
A mock rescue of an injured co-worker where the climber has to lower a mannequin to the ground.
A speed climb.
A 40-foot vertical ascent in which the contestant uses slipknots and ropes to pull himself straight up.
If young Machuca is one of the top finishers, he will qualify for the master’s round where contestants have 20 minutes to perform some of the earlier tasks plus ring every bell placed in the far reaches of majestic oak trees.
Practicing his climbing skills in an old live oak on Temple’s west side this week, Machuca reflected on his childhood and his father’s unusual career.
“As a kid, I was mad at him for having this job. Why can’t he have a regular job?” Machuca said.
Going out on jobs with his father, Machuca found himself helping with odd chores until one day he decided to step up, way up. A trainee wasn’t catching on, so the youngster just out of high school approached his dad.
“It was just taking too long … we were getting backed up, so I finally talked him into letting me do this: ‘I still have a lot to learn, but I’ve been watched you for so long.’”
Machuca and his father, Jody - owner of Jody’s Tree Service in Temple - attended the Texas championship last year as spectators. That’s when Andrew caught the bug to compete. Both father and son said they were impressed by the camaraderie between the contestants and industry professionals.
“After seeing the way they were last year at the competition, everybody wants to help everybody … It’s like a big brotherhood,” the younger Machuca said.
To prepare for the competition, the Machucas threw a line to Tom Dunlap, tree climbing instructor, competition judge and host of Tree Buzz, an online discussion board and information source for tree climbers. Dunlap arrived in Temple this week via the Buzzmobile, a green GMC Safari van dotted with bumper stickers extolling the virtues of tree climbing: “Arborists are treemendous” and “Trees are the answer.” Another bumper sticker - “Some Fear” - extols a safety message.
“No Fear - that’s stupid,” Dunlap sad, regarding popular slogans like “Ain’t Skeered,” often seen on four-wheel drive vehicles. “It may look like the X Games, it might look crazy, but it’s not. It is dangerous, but the stuff we do, following these good skills and using good equipment, we manage the risk. It’s not stunts.”
The senior Machuca also stresses safety above all else. “We don’t take anything for granted. There’s no time to be macho. That’s what kept me safe.”
Even if climbers and arborists at the competition don’t bring home any trophies or ribbons, the skills they learn will come in handy Monday morning when the men and women return to work. The competition, which began in 1976, has also spawned technological advances.
The elder Machuca said he taught himself the trade, worked alone, and had to learn from his mistakes. But he is excited to see his son adapt to modern tools and techniques.
“I was applying the old school technique, and after he (Andrew) learned my way, that’s when these guys said, ‘hey, if you can do it your dad’s way, you got a fighting chance to be a contender,” Machuca said. “His goal is five years from now to be international champ.”
Winners this weekend will advance to the international level this July in St. Louis.
