Slacklining

These notes are intended to assist the beginner who has already gained some knowledge of slack lining and is fully aware of its risks. They are brief and not designed to be comprehensive in any way.

Ultimately slacklining is a dangerous sport if practiced high enough off the ground, and at the very least can result in crushed delicate bits. One of the guiding principals of British climbing and mountaineering is that it is the individual climber is responsible for his or her own safety, and this should probably go for slack lining too. If you can not accept this then this site and probably slack lining in general is unlikely to suit you. May we refer you to this very interesting site instead!

Photo above: Trevor Suddaby enjoying a day at the beach at Barcelona.

Slacklining, or slack line walking, is a sport of balance concentration and relaxation.

Once you have mastered the basics you will be rewarded with hours and hours of fun, and you will be amazed at how addictive it can be!!

You can slackline alone where you can concentrate with no distractions, or be part of a big social group, and have lots of laughs watching your mates try it for the first time. Ether way you will always attract attention.

Once you can walk the line, you can progress to turning and walking back, walking backwards, bounce walking along the line, jumping on to the line, and making sit down starts on the line and trying to stand up. There are loads more tricks you can do, but you will have to figure them out for yourself.

Your slackline can be set up almost anywhere. All you need are two anchors (preferably solid trees - try to use some sort of tree protectors where appropriate to do so to prolong the life of your line, and also protect the trees you are using) about 10 to 15 metres apart from each other with a nice grass landing in-between. If you set up your line really tight you may find it easier to walk on - try starting in the middle of the line where the line doesn't move from side to side as rapidly. However, slacker lines can be so much more fun, with you really having to work hard to stop the line from throwing you off. Turning and other tricks may be more difficult too.

Slack Lining Kit

You will need...

26mm Climbing Tape	15 metres
Climbing Tape	2 x 3 metre lengths
Screwgate Karabiners	4
Full Slack Lining Kit	Or buy one of the commercially made kits that are available.

Photo left: Dave McLaughlin doing a tricky step-through move.

Photo above: Adam Suddaby show that youth is no bar to joining in the fun!

Photo below: Matt de Vaal in action.

Info and photos: Matt de Vaal