3-10-04
Out of a sense of responsibility to slackline history and the development of the practice, I feel it is important that a major subplot in slackline development be revealed. In 1999, R. Ozturk, T. Knower, H. Hallstein, R. Harbison, M. Wiley, E. Crabtree, J. Beren and M. Lee began to develop a new style of slackline practice. Largely unknown on the West Coast, its roots took hold at Colby College, in the woods of Maine.
This style of practice, which we referred to as "freestyle slacklining" (also more recently known as rodeo slacklining) is grounded in simplicity and the vast adventure offered by a parabolic line profile. Truly "slack" liners, these east coast pioneers began hanging their lines without any metal hardware in such a way as to allow a much larger amplitude of swing. These lines, shaped much like the bottom of an egg, have been found to provide the widest array of traditional freestyle potential.
A description of the various maneuvers that are possible lines is too lengthy to cover here, but it is worth mentioning that the dynamics of a swinging line allow for a wide variety of freestyle tricks and grabs. The slower rate of oscillation allows for a vast expansion of "surf" maneuvers as well as turning and walking in the midst of big swings.
The system is also less damaging to supporting trees, has fast setup and removal time, less harsh bounce back, and a slower more peaceful rate of oscillation. They also are more conducive to the practice of slackline yoga because the relative heights of the feet can change. While most slackliners were testing the limits of taughtline situations, these Colby alums put many years of hard work and dedication into exploring the limits of practice in the truly "slack" realm.
Although it takes a long time to find the parabolas that work best for this style practice, experimentation will undoubtedly cause one to stumble across them. I hope this form of freestyle slacklining, with its high-amplitude excitement, continues to develop in unforeseen ways and helps to expose new non-climbing athletes to our sport.
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