SlackFaq's
Highlining is a slackline discipline that is practiced at great heights, between mountains, buildings, bridges or whatever.
It is a great ⚾️ challenge and a slackline discipline in which the mental game and mindset are far more important than the technical and ⚾️ physical ability.
To really know what is highlining you probably have to try to stand on one or, maybe, if you ⚾️ get to see quite decent slackliners crumble when facing this new context and challenge, you'll get a pretty close idea ⚾️ of what it means for the one on the line.
This form of slackline provides an incredible adrenaline rush when tried ⚾️ for the first time and has a great impact on the spectators as well.
With the exception of highline freesolo, where ⚾️ the athlete is purposely unsafe, the highliner is permanently secured by a harness, attached to the main slackline line and, ⚾️ at the same time, to a lifeline, called the backup.
On this picture we can clearly see the main line, the ⚾️ backup, and the leash that connects the harness to both of them.
Despite the fact that accidents are potentially fatal and ⚾️ that highlining deaths have happened, statistics show that highlining has become a really safe sport if practiced according to safety ⚾️ standards.
Nowadays highline systems are redundant and unlike slacklining close to the ground, the highliner simply falls into the air if ⚾️ mis-stepping with almost no risk of injury.
What looks scary and dangerous from the outside has become a really safe sport ⚾️ with almost no limits.
You may also like: Zakynthos Highline: 580m Blindfoled send!.
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What is Highlining: the definition and it's types
When we ⚾️ speak of highline, we speak about walking slacklines that are rigged on such a height that it would be lethal ⚾️ to fall off.
In this kind of slacklining the athlete is attached by the harness to the slackline, which ensures that ⚾️ he is supported in the event of a fall.
There is a sub-category of highlines, called midlines .
Those are highlines that ⚾️ are safer to walk with a harness but that are still rather close to the ground – often about 10-15m ⚾️ heigh.
Midlines are less intimidating than highlines but in reality more dangerous, as the athlete – in the unlikely case of ⚾️ a mainline failure – could potentially touch the ground.
What is Highlining FreeStyle?
In this recent way of experiencing highline, athletes perform ⚾️ spectacular tricks on the slackline.
They bounce on the line and then enchain a series of moves, taking advantage of the ⚾️ momentum.
The combinations can be endless and include shoulder stands, handstands, dynamic mounts and rolls among other crazy stunts.
You may also ⚾️ like: Forces in Highlining.
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Highline FreeSolo
What defines Highline Free solo is that highliner is simply walking unsecured.
In this regard the risk ⚾️ of death is always present and the slightest mistake can be fatal.
It is not a practice that, impressive as it ⚾️ may be, should be encouraged or celebrated.
Slacktivity refrains from this practice and supports no athletes who are into highline free ⚾️ soloing.
The Security Basics
Highline rigging is a complex task that should always be performed or accompanied by experienced riggers.
All the information ⚾️ in this document is only a recommendation from SLACKTIVITY.
This is not an official guideline.
Every highline anchor point looks different.
Making an ⚾️ anchor point cannot be learnt from this document only
but from courses and with experience.
SLACKTIVITY is not responsible for misuse or ⚾️ accidents.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is highlining safe? Yes, this branch of slackline can be a safe activity as long as it is ⚾️ practiced according to the best practices and safety standards.
Find out more about it at Slacktivity's blog.
Is there specific gear for ⚾️ highline? Yes.
The International Slackline Association – ISA developed a system to test and certifies gear to be used in highline ⚾️ setups.
Check our highlining certified gear here.
Where can i learn how to setup a highline? Rigging a highline should in any ⚾️ case involve experieced riggers.
If are not experieced and you are 100% sure of what you are doing, don't rigg a ⚾️ highline by yourself.
Find highliners near you, join them and start learning.
