Fun with Slacklining

If you've never heard of a slackline before, you're not alone. Slacklining originated with rock climbers and has since become a sport of its own. A slackline is basically a 4 inch wide line tightened between two trees. It is like a wide tightrope but can have some incredible applications. You can simply stand on it or walk on it. Or, when you get really good, you can start to incorporate crazy balance poses, or even bounce on it like a trampoline adding in flips and tricks.

Greg shows us how to get on the slackline in Penticton, BC.

Some people have even taken it to the extreme and created High-lining. This is when the slackline is strung up across a gorge or river high above the ground. It takes a high level of understanding in order set this up safely (I'm certainly no where near this). Most people will use a safety tether but there are some who will walk across with no protection at all.  Some of my favrouite youtube.com videos include appearences by "Sketchy" Andy and Dean Potter.

Tips to get you started:
1) Getting on - I have found that the best way to get on a slackline as a beginner is to stand next to it with one foot on the slackline. Make sure this foot isn't weighted or you will find that it will shake uncontrollably! Hop up off the your other foot on the ground and reach your arms up high. Keep your knee slightly bent and your upper body tall. Also, look forwards, not downwards (I find looking at where the end of the slackline meets the tree works best for me). Make sure you breath and maintain a postitive attitude.

2) Staying on - I promise that you will be shaking in the beginning. This is normal. Don't get frustrated. Try to balance on one foot for 5 seconds. If the line is shaking a lot, you can also try to make a T with your feet, bringing your heels together to settle the line. After you feel balanced, take a step forward onto your other foot and try balancing on that one.

3) Walking - Once you have gotten comfortable balancing on one foot at a time, you can eventually start to quicken the time between each foot and before you know it you'll be walking.

I'm looking pretty shakey here. Notice my right arm is down. I would have been more successful by keeping both arms overhead and making small adjustments for balance.

Even something as simple as walking on a slackline will take a long time so keep up the positive self talk and enjoy the journey. Other basic moves you can do are: walking backwards, turning 180 degrees, jumping on the slack to mount, tree pose, and sitting on it.