Slacklining is a form of balancing which is performed on a 1-inch thick nylon webbing. The line is fixed to two points, often trees in a looser fashion than might be associated with a tightrope, although some tension is required. The tension is often adjusted to suit the particular needs or preferences of the individual walker, their level of proficiency and any tricks which are to be performed.
Slacklining is also different from traditional tightrope walking in that the line is flexible and bouncy as well as flat, leading to comparisons with a flat long trampoline. These properties allow for tricks and stunts to be performed and have helped to shape slacklining into a trendy urban sport.
Levels
Many slackliners start off with a small length of nylon which is tied at quite a low height to allow for balance practise. Once they become proficient it is the norm to add tricks, stunts, extra height and longer distances. Because of the nature of the rope used it is often found that somersaults, vaults and tricks are added to a walkers’ repertoire quite quickly. These tricks are often sectioned into beginner, intermediate and advanced difficulty and many businesses operate to teach and train would-be slackliners to advance their techniques and abilities
Who Slacklines?
As a sport with so much recent growth and popularity slacklining attracts a wide variety of participants, from all manner of social backgrounds and ages.
Whilst stunting is extremely popular and is probably one of the main reasons the sport has been propelled to the top of the zeitgeist there are other methods and uses. As a form of balance it is extremely relaxing and it has recently become the practice to modify and transfer yoga movements so that they can be performed on the rope, adding to the popularity and appeal.
As proficiency grows as does the sense of daring and the need to create spectacle and it is not unusual to see slacklining being performed in extremely dangerous surroundings such as over cliff faces and between high rise buildings. The only limit, it would appear is that of the walkers’ imagination and sense of self preservation.