Get Balanced Slacklining Expo
Is it a tightrope? Is it a trampoline? Nope, it’s a slackline! “Eh?” I hear you say! Slacklining is the act of balancing on a narrow, yet flexible length of webbing and that is typically strung from two trees. Think if it as a marriage between tightrope walking and trampoline acrobatics. The dynamic nature of a slackline allows for a lot more interaction then a traditional tightrope and the sport is very popular with adventure sports enthusiastics as well as skateboarders whose trick skill set translates easily to a slackline.
Slacklining is a fun and accessible thrill sport. It can be enjoyed by children on lines that are no more than a foot above ground. Typically, the line needs to be at least four foot high to preform event the simplest of tricks and experienced slackliners will push the limits and string lines across ravines and river gorges. Last week on October 16, all-star Andy Lewis set the world record for longest urban highline. A 480-foot high, 360-foot-long slackline rigged from two of the Mandalay Bay resort towers running parallel to the Las Vegas Strip, proving that there are no limits to the sport.
Having great balance and flexibility is advantageous for most sports, and slacklining is a fun way to build and strengthen your core. It’s also a fun alternative to the routine of gym exercises. Slacklining kits are inexpensive, lightweight, and very portable and no special attire is needed.
Adventurous New Yorkers can try out their balance-and-bounce skills at the free Get Balanced – Slacklining Expo, next Saturday, October 26, 2013, from 12:00 – 4:00 pm at Hudson River Park’s Pier 84, (at West 44th Street), New York City.
The expo is being host by Gerolsteiner Sparkling Mineral Water, the world’s leading brand of natural, ‘balanced’ mineral water, and will not only feature professional aerobatic exhibits by some of the stars from the Gibbon Slacklines team, but there will also be free training clinics. Space in the clinics is limited, so pre-registration at getbalanced.eventbrite.com is recommended, and while there’s no mud invloved, slacklining is still thrilling, so if you’ve never tried it, this is a great opportunity to do so!
Slacklining – Thrill on the Line!
