Is that still Tightrope Acrobatics? The Trend Sport Slacklining
Yes, there is tightrope walking on the steel or specifically the tow for several hundred years. However, the new slackline in contrast to a steel rope is more elastic and caves in under the pressure of the balance artist. We look at the young trend sport more detailed and introduce to you what you can do at all with a slackline.
Slacklining was invented in a jungle camp in the American Yosemite valley in the early 80s. A handful of young men then balanced on chains, rails and ropes. Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington were the first who appreciated the wonderful features of tubular nylon belts in the context of balancing. Only to the turn of the millennium, non-climbers then discovered slacklining. There are manufacturers that sell required equipment professionally since 2005. In the meantime, there are eight styles of slacklining we introduce to you hereinafter:
Lowlines / Trick Lines
At Lowlines, as the name suggests, the line is taut weakly to approximately knee or hip height. Lowlines are the most chosen way of slacklining because it is ideal for practicing tricks such as walking, walking backwards, turning, sitting down or lying down.
Long Lines
The Long Line is taut wider. Due to the large distance different skill aspects appear. The line in particular vibrates faster. Balancing is a great challenge here. The concentration of the slackliner is put to a decisive test.
Highlines
Pertaining to Highlines the slackliner need to be secured. She or he cannot just jump since the line is taut in dizzy heights. The challenge here is not only to achieve a balance, but also to apply the overcoming to run over a precipice.
Water Lines
Water Lines taut across the water. This means they provide numerous opportunities to practice spectacular jump tricks like flips.
Jumplines
The trend is towards Jumplines. There now specifically designed Jumplines one can buy to jump on the slackline. At the style Jumpline, several taut lines may coexist, where you can jump from line to line.
Night Lines
Night Lines are taut in the dark. The artist experiences her or his special thrill in full concentration to her or his senses. The artist absolutely needs to depend on her or his balance organ, her or his hearing and the according perception of the movement.
Slackline and Skateboarding
Skateboarders have discovered slacklines for themselves. Having earlier preferred to jump on dismantled road railings and benches, they now grind over taut slacklines. All kinds of slacklines are attached at two fixed points, for example, at trees, rocks, walls, bolts or the like. In case you choose the attachment to the tree, you should place old carpets, floor mats or special cambium between bark and strap to protect the bark. There are countless online videos for fixing the slacklines, but there are also a variety of tricks, that makes it worthwhile to practice slacklining. Have fun!
