While many of us have hobbies that keep us safely on the ground, others have passions that take them literally to the clouds. Meet Vita, who’s passionate about slacklining and has started sharing his passion with others in Shanghai and around the world.
Vita has been revving up a solid Slacklining community in the past few years, and rigging lines just about everywhere as onlookers watch in awe.
So what is Slacklining? Slacklining is a sport that was developed by climbers in Yosemite Valley, California during the late 1970's and early 1980's. When they were not climbing, they took flat nylon webbing and stretched it between two rocky outcroppings over a void, and then learned to walk and balance on this webbing.
Two forms have evolved – lowlining and highlining. Lowlining is what most slackliners practice, because you need little equipment and can do it anywhere you find two anchors, or places to secure the line. There’s also less chance of falling, so you can attempt tricks on the line.
String the line a hundred meters up, and you』ve got highlining, where someone crosses the narrow band of rope while suspended high above the ground. Don’t worry - he’s wearing a harness which is connected to the line for when he falls.
The line is anchored into multiple points on each side, so there’s a backup if one point comes loose. Highlining is similar to tight-rope walking, but unlike tight-rope walkers, highliners balance using their arms as they walk.
On a highline, overcoming your fear most often the goal. Highlines are considered more dangerous since the line needs to be strong to withstand a fall midline. Despite the danger, the world’s best slackliners and rock climbers continue to push the boundaries of balance by walking on highlines as long as 60 meters.
Vita seems quite effortless while most of us need to remind ourselves to breathe while looking at photos. The views are pretty incredible, too.
To get more insight, I asked Vita about his experience and how he got into the sport.
Where are you from?
Třinec, Czech Republic, Europe.
When do you get into slacklining?
I made my first steps more than 5 years ago on my friend's line. Before he bought one he was talking about slacklining a lot, and I had no idea what it was about and how difficult it might be even to make a single step. After few tries I gave up, but got into it again few months later when I bought my own beginner set.
When did you get into highlining?
In July 2014, I attended my first highline festival in Adršpach, sandstones in the Czech Republic, with two friends of mine, just out of curiosity. I planned to some mountain biking in that location as well, but ended up on the rocks all the time staring and admiring all those "flying" people. The amazing slacklining community is never looking down on you. So the very last day I ended up on the highline, not even able to stand up. But I got determined to practice and come back next year to finish what I started. So I did.
Why should others learn how to slackline?
You take no or a little risk by practicing the sport. There's no limit in gender, age or height. Muscular people have no advantage over the skinny ones. You build up your core muscles as well as you boost your confidence with every additional step. You set up your own goals. And it looks cool!
Is it dangerous?
It might look dangerous, in fact there was just a few incidents reported in the previous years, mostly because the lack of attention paid on the security. If done properly, with a right gear, the sport is super safe. Same as in climbing, we don't want to underestimate the risks as our lives depend on it.
How can others learn to slackline?
Contact the local community! Every city has got one and is open to the newcomers. Despite being an individual sport, the practice is usually more of a social occasion.
What piece of advice would you give to our readers?
Try to do something you've never done before, something you found impossible. Prove yourself wrong and become your own personal hero. The way literally begins with a single step.
There you have it! If you』d like to try Slacklining, there’s usually a handful of people down at Riverside Park (by Middle Longhua Road metro station) practicing each weekend evening. Just walk down to the park and they will be near the rock climbing wall.
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