The Thin Line

BY: Robert E. Lee

4/9/15

The saying, "it all begins with the first step," normally applies to someone starting something new or learning to walk. For two individuals, that statement is the foundation of their sport.

Dan Brooks and Peter Cutler are two people who participate in a relatively new sport called Slacklining.

Slacklining is when somebody walks across a long webbing nylon about 19 meters long, hung about five to six feet above the ground, anchored on each end.

Though Brooks and Cutler may participate in the same sport, their technique and styles are completely different.

Brooks has been slacklining for nearly 11 years and considers his style to be more traditional, consisting of just walking and keeping your balance while traveling the nylon webbing.

"The hardest part is trying to keep your balance and focus without falling. Each step you take, you're a little bit closer to making it to the end," said Brooks.

Photo credit: Robert E. Lee

Brooks said someone shouldn't get discouraged if they cannot easily grasp this sport because it takes time to get used to walking on such a thin line.

In order to slackline, somebody will need the following items:

16-19 meters of nylon webbing Two pieces of 2-3.5 meters of 1 inch tubular webbing for the anchors 5 Carabiners A location with at least 50-100 feet of walking length Two objects to anchor your nylon webbing

However when Cutler slacklines, he has a few tricks up his sleeve.

Though only picking up this sport about three years ago, Cutler considers himself an experienced “trick slackliner.”

"The average Slackliner will walk across the line. In my case, I walk across the line while throwing in a few jumps, flips and turns," said Cutler.

A slackline may be lifted nearly six feet above the ground, but the idea of getting hurt doesn't slow these guys down.

Photo credit: Robert E. Lee

"While Slacklining, someone can easily fall 50, 100 or even 150 times during a session, but knowing how to fall correctly can help prevent any serious injury," said Cutler.

Cutler says, by leaning back with your head over the line, it helps your body naturally flip over, preventing any serious injury from occurring.

"A lot of times, a new slackliner won't completely lean their head back over the line, which causes them to hurt their necks when they hit the ground," said Cutler.

Slacklining has a lot of beneficial uses, other than socializing with friends, such as helping the body and soul, according to Cutler.

"When I slackline, I'm really in touch with my inner-self and can focus on what my body is feeling in order to know how to adjust my foot position. You really have to know which way your body is going to move when you're performing a hard trick," said Cutler.

Slacking also increases your confidence and self esteem, according to Brooks.

"When you finally make it to the end of the line after trying for weeks, you really feel good about yourself and start believing you can achieve more things if you remove any doubt," said Brooks.

Fortunately for Cutler, a slackline is considered his mobile gym.

“When I slackline, it’s a workout. Usually my core, quads and calves burn in just an hour of slacklining. It’s almost like going to the gym and using a stair-master or an elliptical for two hours, but without the overpowering smell of sweat,” Cutler said. “Not to mention, I’m outside enjoying beautiful weather and nature, instead of being trapped inside.”

Cutler says slacklining not only has physical benefits, but medical ones too.

“An important thing to realize when you’re slacklining is that you’re not just practicing to become better, you’re benefiting yourself in so many other ways. Since I started, my coordination, posture and definitely balance has increased tremendously, but so has my pain tolerance when it comes to falling,” said Cutler.

If anyone is interested, Cutler runs the Facebook page for West Virginia's Slacklining team and posts the location and time when people will gather to slackline. He encourages people to try and participate in this sport because it helps bring the community together.