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Having a slackline can provide hours of fun and fitness for parents and children alike.
I've been slacking on getting my slackline up regularly, but with the sunny weather, I've promised myself that I would walk the line more often. I find that when it's up, I can't keep my kids off of it. I walk beside and offer my shoulder as a balancing aid, and with the youngest (2 1/2) I hold both her hands while she bounces. It's a great way to beat the boredom blues.
Here are some resources to help you on your way to a slackline addiction:
How to Set up a Slackline
Slacklining at Wikipedia
Information for parents can be found at: Slackline Express Parents
There's a great how-to slackline page at Slackline Express Tips
For a history of slacklining, check out Slackline.com's A History of Slacklining
Strange Addiction - Slackline
Learning to walk the slackline is a fun way to stay fit and work on your balancing skills. It really works the core muscles and all of the stabilizing muscles in your feet and calves. I love it for the mental time-out. Everything else disappears just for a second, and when you've got it down, there are many variations: tricks, surfing, yoga, partners, and highlining.
I use the "primitive" system, which uses the webbing and carabiners for tensioning, but there are some pretty slick kits out there that are quicker to set up and easier to tighten. If you want to set up a long line, you'll probably want to get a ratcheting tensioner. I have 60 feet of 1 inch webbing, 6 carabiners (three sets of two), and some slings, both store-bought and homemade (from webbing) to fit different sized trees. I currently use duct tape covered cardboard as a tree-saver, but I have some old carpet that will be cut to size for that soon.
One of my goals is to walk a highline when I turn 40 (next year), mostly just to do it, but partly because I love the adrenaline rush that comes from pushing the boundaries of my physical body. Watching my children play always reminds me of how open and free and capable we are as kids. I'm trying to re-capture that feeling by doing things that are pure fun and serve no other practical purpose in my life. Slacklining does have physical benefits, but that's not the point for me. It's that feeling of being centered, being balanced, and trying something that is difficult in order to learn about myself.
If you've got a couple of trees in your yard, or a park nearby, get a slackline and get balanced.
peace
Thanks for this post! We have three kids and every time we go climb or camp we come across a slackline party. I think we'll try setting one up soon. I'm going to do a post on this at my blog, Nature For Kids. I'll link to your site. Thanks again! - Shawna
ReplyDeleteshawna: Thanks for reading, and have fun walking the line.
ReplyDeleteOur 3 year old loves to hold my fingers and just jump like mad on the slackline. It's awesome to watch.
For those older kids, and you, be prepared to jump clear at any time. Don't let the line sling you off headfirst or into a bush. Bouldering pads can help minimize the risk, but you're basically walking on a giant rubber band...