Slacklining: tightropes are no longer for the circus

Unlike most university students during a gloomy week, junior Josh Martin hopes it will rain. He is attempting to walk along a one-inch-wide length of nylon webbing anchored between two trees in front of Sharp Hall. Similar to walking on a tightrope, it's a feat that seems nearly impossible to a passerby. The activity is called slacklining—the latest trend to hit the university this fall semester.

"[Slacklining] is more pleasurable in the rain because your feet kind of stick to the line," Martin says.

Slacklining is different from tight rope walking, in that the line has some flexibility, which allows users to jump on it and perform tricks. The slackline itself is a nylon rope that gets anchored to two posts,  and on The Green it is common to see people slack lining between two trees.

Even though it's not raining, Martin takes out his umbrella anyway to show off his balance.  He opens it and then, proceeding with caution, walks down the slackline.  Despite the grace of Martin's movements on the slackline, he says he had no idea what slacklining was until last year when a friend who had hitchhiked to the East Coast from Colorado, introduced him to slacklining.  Shortly after, Martin won a gift card to Eastern Mountain Sports, and it only cost $35.  

Since the beginning of the Fall Semester has started, Martin says he has been setting up his slackline approximately twice a week.  Although slacklining doesn't require a lot of athleticism, it does require balance and concentration, which in turn makes it therapeutic, he says. Martin compares it to riding a bike.  

"It teaches you how to get into the zone, that's for sure," he says.


Junior Lauren Demicco says she has been slacklining since her freshman year of high school. Demicco started slacklining because she enjoyed rock climbing, she says the two are related because they both require balance and concentration.  

Demicco, who just transferred to the university this year, says that slacklining has been a way for her to make new friends.

"It's a great way to meet positive people," Demicco says.

Despite the growing popularity of slacklining, it is still something that's done independently of the university. Slacklines are not set up at the Carpenter Sports Building. Tony Goldston, coordinator of intramurals programs at the university, says it would be difficult to find somewhere inside, or in the proximity of, the building to anchor a slackline.

"It's something I've never been asked about before, to be honest," Goldston says. "It's something that we would do, potentially; we're always looking for new things to add in."

Martin says there are approximately 15 to 20 people who slackline regularly with him, but they're always looking for more people to come and join them.  Martin, who is the president of the Climbing Club, hopes to start a Slacklining Club in the near future. The paperwork will be taken care of before winter, and Martin says he expects the club to get going by the spring.

"The Slacklining Club will be the love child of the Climbing Club and the Outing Club," he says.

With university funding, the Slacklining Club would be able to buy more slacklines, take trips and even attend slacklining competitions.  Martin says he would love to set up a slackline next to a waterfall.


Demicco describes the community that her and her fellow slackliners have become. The night before, Demicco and Martin, among others, had a late night slackline set up until 2 a.m. There was even a jam session while they slacklined, featuring three guitars and a ukulele, Demicco says.

As Martin and Demicco take turns on the slackline, they begin to attract a variety of looks and comments.  


"[It] makes no sense until they get on a line," Martin says. "Then they'll understand."


As people walk by, Demicco ask them if they want to test their balance on the line. Some people take her up on the offer and attempt to slackline for the first time.  Demicco gives them advice while they try it out, telling them to align their big toe with the slackline, and to concentrate at a higher point above the slackline.

"We look like we're walking a tightrope, so they're like, ‘Where's the circus?'" says Demicco.

Martin says he notices the attention the activity has been receiving.

"We know people see it," he says. "They should just stop by if they see it. If you fall, you fall two feet."