Pushing the Slackline Past the Line (Hardwear Sessions)

By Robin Avery
Mountain Hardwear Employee article

The sport of slackline is growing increasingly more popular, however, there are still countless things to be done before the slackline community can consider the sport anywhere near mainstream. I have been slacklining since around May of 2005. I have always been an avid climber since my father introduced me to top roping at the young age of seven. It is easy to make a natural progression from climber to slackliner...of course, it's best to remain a climber and a slackliner and not the other way around.

The great thing about slackline is it can be done in the comfort of a sunny-grassy city park or extremely high up 3000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor. One summer I traveled for about two and a half months and couldn't climb. I took my slackline set up with me and managed to maintain most of my climbing footwork and technique. Slackline is also a great way to meet new people. Slackline is a spectator sport. People find it impossible to not stop and watch a for a few moments, and even jump in and give it a try. I've persuaded quite a few individuals to go out and buy their own set up.

The slackline community is growing exponentially. The great thing about being part of a growing community is you can consider yourself a pioneer as your involvement develops past simply walking the line. There are still things that need to be done. One of which we can now be checked off the list.

Recently Damian Cooksey and I both landed a front flip on the line. That's right! You heard me right! A front flip leaving the line, landing back on the line. There are no special effects here, just two extremely enthusiastic slackliners with a lot of practice under their belts, looking to be the first ever at something. Until recently, no one had ever landed a front flip back on the line. Check out the videos.