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Slacklining is a balance sport which utilises nylon webbing stretched tight between two anchor points. Slacklining is distinct from tightrope walking in that the line is not held rigidly taut; it is instead dynamic, stretching and bouncing like a large rubber band. The line's tension can be adjusted to suit the user and different types of dynamic webbing can be used to achieve a variety of feats. The line itself is flat, due to the nature of webbing, thus keeping the slacker's footing from rolling as would be the case with an ordinary rope.
While rope walking has been around in one manner or another for thousands of years, the origins of modern day slacklining are generally attributed to a pair of rock climbers living in Yosemite Valley, California, in the early 1980s. Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington started stringing up their climbing webbing and walking it. The sport blossomed from there among climbers in the valley, and then branched out elsewhere all over the world. Although the sport began in the US and is still very popular there, slacklining has become extremely popular in Europe in particular France, Germany and the UK where it is growing at a very rapid rate.
Slacklining is now becoming a popular pastimes for a wide variety of different people, from students slinging up slacklines on campus, to the family garden. Slacklining is a great pastime for anyone wishing to improve balance, fitness, concentration and above all to have fun.
Slacklining is a balance sport which utilizes nylon webbing stretched tight between two anchor points. Slacklining is distinct from tightrope walking in that the line is not held rigidly taut; it is instead dynamic, stretching and bouncing like a large rubber band. The line's tension can be adjusted to suit the user and different types of dynamic webbing can be used to achieve a variety of feats. The line itself is flat, due to the nature of webbing, thus keeping the slacker's footing from rolling as would be the case with an ordinary rope. The dynamic nature of the line allows for impressive tricks and stunts.
While rope walking has been around in one manner or another for thousands of years, the origins of modern day slacklining are generally attributed to a pair of rock climbers living in Yosemite Valley, California, in the early 1980s. Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington started their walking on loose chains and cables alongside parking lots, and over time progressed to stringing up their climbing webbing and walking it. The sport blossomed from there among climbers in the valley, and then branched out elsewhere all over the world. There are many online forums to look for more info on the history of slacklining.
Can anyone do this?
Most people surprise themselves -- and that's one of the most exciting things about slacklining. As daunting as it sounds and looks, the learning curve is quick. It only takes about an hour of persistent attempts (perhaps spread out over several days) to learn to get up on the slackline. Your next couple hours of practice will see you staying on longer and longer, and eventually walking around. Why not have a go...check out our handy quick start guide here >
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