Unusual forest encounter

[naturequack]

I did my first slack line during the summer of 1987. I use 1" tubular webbing with biners to attach the ends around the tree. I've never used a ratcheting tightener. I actually prefer my slack line to be, um, slack. Not tight. Ideally I set it up to span about 20 feet and have about a three foot drop from ends to middle with my weight on it. If I get it just right, my feet will be just a few inches above the ground when I stand on it in the middle. I've never tried it with two people. One of the skills that I use to test my abilities is to turn around on the webbing. That's tricky, as is bouncing up and down, and walking right up to the tree.
I agree with Tom, although it is fun, it is rather limited. There's just not that much you can do and you can't exactly go places on this device.
Geoff

[Michaelgoround]

That seems pretty cool. I may have to get me a line to have some fun with. Hopefully I can get some people into it easily or at least get them to try it.

[saskatchewanian]

Originally Posted by padst3r

Anyone know how i could build a cheap one ? i have 3 ratchet straps i use on my pallets,maybe they could be used

If your staps are long enough you could try to use them, just make sure that the weakest part of your system is between you and your ratchet mech, since if it brakes between your ratchet and the tree the metal ratchet will be flying at your head with uprising force.

Originally Posted by naturequack

I use 1" tubular webbing with biners to attach the ends around the tree. I've never used a ratcheting tightener. I actually prefer my slack line to be, um, slack. Not tight. Ideally I set it up to span about 20 feet and have about a three foot drop from ends to middle with my weight on it. If I get it just right, my feet will be just a few inches above the ground when I stand on it in the middle.

Same here but I like my line a bit longer about 30-35' with 3-4' drop, longer lines have a much different feel as all the moves are bigger and slower.

Only real problem with a 4' hig line is it is harder for beginners and I almost always have people stop and give it a try.


Another good test for youself is to see if you can lower your knee or but down to the line. I have a friend who can lay down and get back up on the line as well as do jumping 360s. I can only do the basics of walking, turning around, a bit of surfing, bouncing etc.

[Splodge]

I've justed started Slacklining, got a 50mm Gibbon ratchet system strung up outside my backdoor.
It's a fun thing to learn for 20 or 30 minutes an evening - give it a year and I'll be ok (annoyingly my wife seems more of natural!!).

[Into the blue]

I'm pretty sure there's video footage of Lucas Wintercrane riding a uni on a slackline somewhere on the forum.

It was very impressive.

[rob.northcott]

Originally Posted by Into the blue

I'm pretty sure there's video footage of Lucas Wintercrane riding a uni on a slackline somewhere on the forum.

It was very impressive.

From what I remember he was juggling five or so clubs at the same time.
(the bastard!)

Rob

EDIT: here it is

[liddle-peter]

iv'e had a slackline since christmas, there great fun! i paid 26 quid for it, its very simple, but very strong and fairly easy to pick up, i could walk across after about an hour, theres lots of fancy tricks to try though!

[Mikefule]

Originally Posted by Splodge

I've justed started Slacklining, got a 50mm Gibbon ratchet system strung up outside my backdoor.
It's a fun thing to learn for 20 or 30 minutes an evening - give it a year and I'll be ok (annoyingly my wife seems more of natural!!).

It was a Gibbon system I saw.

[Brian O.]

Quite a few people at my university slackline, we tend to set it up right on campus and have passerbys join in. I've gotten four full revs and a bit of a still stand on the line with my trials uni.