Slackline: The Air Acrobats.

The Slackline is a new adventure sport that is gaining more and more popularity in our country every day. But What is Slackline? Where does it come from? What modalities exist? The popular 'tightrope', as many call it, is now a discipline that goes beyond just having a fun time; this sport requires a lot of endurance, coordination, and balance.

Photo: Emmeet.com

Let's start by defining what Slackline is. This sport is not just about walking on a tightrope; it is a dynamic and simple sport. It is very similar to tightrope walking, but instead of using a tight metal cable, a flat nylon or polyester webbing is used, providing suspension and sway, which is anchored between two trees or fixed points.

Photo: Rocknboard.com

In Slackline, both the body and the mind are engaged. It is a very complete sport that works practically all parts of the body. Additionally, a lot of calmness and concentration are needed to walk on the line and perform tricks; mastering breathing is essential here.

Photo: Fanpage Slackline Peru

All this buzz around slackline is attributed to two California climbers from Yosemite Valley: Adam Grosowsky and Jeff Ellington. They started practicing in nearby parking lots, using their own climbing gear.

Photo: slacklinetechnology.com

These are the modalities of Slackline:  

• Trickline in this modality, the line is set at 1.10m above the ground, and tricks and jumps are performed, it is the most well-known and spectacular.

Photo: Papachos.com

• Waterline this variant is similar to trickline but over water, combining the relaxing sound of water with the adrenaline of not falling into it.

Photo: i.telegraph.co.uk

• Longline is the longest modality. The line is over 30 meters long and involves walking; it requires a lot of skill and practice to walk on longline ropes as they are narrower than trickline ones, it is a modality that requires a lot of concentration and gives a sensation of walking on clouds.

Photo: wikimedia.org

• Highline these are lines located more than 20 meters above the ground, requiring more specific and technical materials. In this modality, the risk increases, and the adrenaline surges.

Photo: tigrepelvar.files.wordpress

• Rodeoline here, a loosely tensioned U-shaped line is set up, and the goal is to swing on it standing up like on a swing. It requires a lot of technique, practice, and body control.

Photo: Slacklife.org

• Yoga Slackline involves practicing yoga on the line, requiring a lot of concentration and practice on the line.

Photo: www.uworkfit.com

Now that you know a little more about this adventure sport, why not give it a try and attempt to balance on a slackline.

See also:

• Dean Potter: Fly or Die.
• Several tourists arrived at the RockFest 2014 Festival in Valle Dorado Huayhuay, La Oroya