MAY COMPETITION EDITION
SLACKLINING M A G A Z I N E
COMPETITION SPECIAL
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$2.00 NO.1 MAY 2013 SLACKLINING MAGAZINE
KNOW YOUR TRICKS MEET THE JUDGES BUILD YOUR BRACKET ATHLETE BIOS
THINGS
YOU NEED TO KNOW TO START SLACKLINING
WORK IT OUT
HOTTEST NEW TREND IN FITNESS? SLACKLINING!
SLACKLINE SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE
MONEY FOR COLLEGE? YES PLEASE!
CONTENTS
features 5 GET STARTED
Tricklining, what is it? From walking chains to the Super Bowl. Tricklining is pushing the sport into uncharted territtory.
7 GET FIT
The hottest new trend in fitness? Slacklining! That’s right, get in shape this summer with these simple moves that anyone can do!
13 COMPETITION SPECIAL
Find out more about your favorite athletes and how the competition works. Build your bracket and learn what moves make up each trick.
39 SLACKLINE SCHOLARSHIP CHALLENGE Money for college and free balance and movment workshops. The Slackline Scholarship Challenge is taking over P.E. classes nationwide and helping pay for college.
41 PRODUCTS
Check out the new products for 2013 from Gibbon Slacklines. Ziplines, crash pads, indoor slackline solutions and the new and improved X13 slacklines.
learn
ABOUT 3 slacklining
COMPETITION 21 how it works
4 tricklining
22 judges
11 longlining
27 trick guide
11 highlining
37 world rankings
athletes 14
15
18
20
30
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event schedules DOMINION RIVERROCK
ALOFT
friday, may 17
friday, may 24
5:00 pm highline exhibition
4:00pm - 5:00 pm Demos and interactive area
saturday, may 18 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Slackline competition (qualifying)
saturday, may 25 10:00 am - 8:00 pm Demos and interactive area
5:00 pm Highline exhibition
3:30 pm Slackline competition (round 1)
7:00 pm - 8:00 pm Slackline competition (quarterfinals)
sunday, may 26
sunday, may 19
12:00 pm - 8:00 pm Demos and interactive area
12:00 pm Highline exhibition
3:30 pm Slackline competition (quarterfinals)
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm Slackline competition (semifinals)
monday, may 27
3:00 pm Slackline competition (finals)
10:00 am - 6:00 pm Demos and interactive area 3:30 pm Slackline competition (semi/finals)
ABOUT
SLACKLINING Slacklining is the act of balancing along a narrow, flexible piece of webbing which is low to the ground and suspended between two anchor points, usually trees. Originating in the climbing world, slacklining has evolved into a cross trainer, backyard activity and sport all of its own. Slacklines are often compared to tightropes, however are succinctly different in that a tightrope is taught and rigid whereas a slackline is dynamic and flexible. Slacklining can be traced back to climbing camps in Yosemite during the mid seventies. Climbers would stay there for weeks blazing new routes and in their time on the ground they began rigging climbing rope to walk across. They found that the activity improved their core strength, balance and movement for climbing - and it was FUN. Gibbon has fueled the next generation of slacklining by making it easy and accessible to everyone. The 2-inch wide webbing and ratchet tensioning design make the Gibbon lines friendlier to walk on and easier to set up. The world of slacklining has since opened up to a broad audience and is rapidly growing in popularity.
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TRICKLINING Tricklining is the branch of slacklining that refers to movements on the line beyond walking. Tricks on the line are typically divided into two categories; static and dynamic. Static tricks are those where constant contact with the line is maintained and are often poses held on the line demonstrating strength and extraordinary balance. The poses include turns, yoga positions, levers and even toe stands. Dynamic tricks are those that leave the line and land back on it in a controlled manner. These can be as simple as a skip or jump and encompass aerial acrobatics like flips and rotations.
become possible and caused an explosion of new moves to be created.
Tricklining emerged more heavily after the introduction of the 2-inch wide slackline and led Gibbon to develop slacklines made of trampoline material. These new specific tricklines enabled more difficult tricks to
Now, trickline competitions are held worldwide with sponsored professional athletes gaining points in the world ranking recorded by the World Slackline Federation, which governs competitive tricklining.
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GET STARTED
3 THINGS YOU NEED TO START SLACKLINING
1
ips for a Beginner
proper physical/mental focus Slacklining is a sport that requires physical determination and a lot of mental focus in order
tion and a lot of mental focus on in the order to To maintain the proper focus to walk the slackline, you will to stay balanced slackline. need you to manage your breathing patterns and properly adjust your focus point. o walk the slackline, will need to s point. Your focus should Physical Focus
n you step ns and you our
you were rectly he
r focus should 10 feet down slackline or at anchor point.
be 10 feet down the slackline or at the anchor point
!
This technique sounds simple, but is tough to adhere to. When you step on the slackline, all of your focus will be on your body reactions and you will forget to breathe. It is very important to be conscious of your breathing patterns, which should be deep and regular. Mental Focus Your focus point should be in the same place as it would be if you were walking down the side walk - either 10 feet in front of you or directly ahead, but never down at your feet. When you first step onto the slackline, if you realize you’re focus wandering down towards your feet, you must refocus your eyes ahead of you, either 10 ft down the slackline or all the way down at the anchor point. Your goal will be to cultivate your balance through feeling and not through direct eyesight alone.
20OFF %
COUPON VALID ONLY ON GIBBON PRODUCTS NOT VALID ON T-SHIRTS
proper arm technique Balance does not come easily and often requires help from all of your body parts. Consider your arms as great tools to help you maintain your balance on the slackline. Although it is a fun challenge to walk without your hands, it is necessary to cultivate and understand the importance of keeping your arms up above your head.
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This diagram explains the strategy of keeping your hands up. The colored lines indicate form. EXCELLENT FORM
DECENT FORM
DECENT FORM
• Keeping your arms in the green zone will give you the most opportunity to find your balance. • If your arms drop into the yellow zone then you will find that you will have to work harder to stay balanced. • When your arms drop below the yellow zone and into the red, this will result in falling off the slackline.
POOR FORM
T
EC R R O
C
3
G
ON R W
manage your steps Taking the proper steps on the slackline is key when trying to stay balanced. Your first reaction might be to turn your foot sideways or to step with your heel first, like we do naturally when walking. On the slackline, it is important to cultivate feeling. When taking your first step or standing on the slackline, you will want to strike with your toes first rather than your heels.
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GET FIT
GET FIT WITH SLACKLINING Slacklining is not just for for the pros doing tricks and flips. It began as a cross-trainer and can be incorporated into any workout. Just walking on the line improves balance, core, arm and leg strength. The unstable surface forces the core to engage to stay balanced. Even those who cannot walk it yet can intensify classic exercises by using the slackline and getting the core involved.
Part 1 Front Lunge BEGINNER LUNGE •
At the middle of the slackline, place the left ball of your foot on the line a leg’s length away.
•
On an inhale, lunge forward. Front knee is directly over the foot, not protruding past your toes. With your back foot, lift your heel all the way up coming onto the ball of your foot.
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Exhale back to straight legs, never locking out your knees. Repeat.
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Complete 12-15 reps, 1 set each leg.
ADVANCED LUNGE •
Balance on the left foot. With your right foot, take a big step and lunge.
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Your knee comes to your heel as shown in the photo.
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Press up and step forward. You are now standing over the right leg.
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Repeat leading with the opposite foot. Work your way down the line completing 18-24 lunges.
If you don’t feel much with the beginner Front Lunge, hang tight because the Back Lunges will rock your world. Think of this as muscle prep for Back Lunges. 7
Part 2 Back Lunge •
From the beginner Front Lunge, turn your back to the line. Place the top of your right toes on the line and lunge on an inhale breath.
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Your hips pull toward the slackline; your front knee is directly over the foot, and your legs form 90˚ angles.
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On an exhale, press up and repeat. 12-15 reps, 1-3 sets each leg.
Back Lunges are one of the best exercises for the gluteus maximus. So if you want to get that booty into shape, you’ve found your match.
Part 3 Push Ups
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1 •
Come into a push-up position at the middle of the slackline. Shoulders should be directly over the line.
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Keep your shoulders pulling away from your ears.
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Engage your core. Avoid letting your butt sag or poke up.
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Inhale as you lower; exhale as you press up. Always keep a slight bend at the elbows. 10-15 reps, 1-3 sets.
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Feel free to put your knees down for knee supported push-ups. Due to the height of the slackline, you will need to tilt the webbing toward you and lower down to the slackline at an angle.
With all the flex and bounce in the line, there may be a tendency to use its momentum to help push yourself up. Please avoid this. You will get the same benefit if you sit in the grass and pick daisies. Also, the line might slip and snap you in the thumb or chest. If you’ve ever had the line snap your body, you know it is painful and should be avoided. Slow and controlled is the name of the game here. 8
GET FIT
Part 4 Slacker Abs BEGINNER ABS ON THE ROCKS •
Start by sitting at the end of the slackline.
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Place your hands on the line shoulder-width apart as shown in the photo. Roll shoulders back and down.
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On an exhale, press into your hands and lift your hips and feet into the air as shown in photo one. Keep a slight bend in the elbows.
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Slowly release back to sitting on the line and repeat for a total of 10-12 reps, 1-3 sets.
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This is a deep arm balance, so in the beginning feel free to keep your toes touching the ground; however, overemphasize curling the tailbone forward to work those abs.
ADVANCED AB TWISTERS
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1
3
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Come back into the beginner Abs On The Rocks. Pull your hips forward so they are inline with your hands, and rotate your knees all the way to the left.
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Like a windshield wiper, the rep begins by rotating your knees all the way to the right then back to the left.
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The twist comes from the waist, keeping your chest motionless.
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10-12 reps, 1-3 sets 9
Part 5 Dips
1
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While sitting on the slackline, place your hands on the line shoulder -width apart with fingers to the front. Slide your hips off the line.
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Bend your knees for a supported dip, or straighten your legs for more of a challenge.
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Roll your shoulders back and down, and keep your chest lifted.
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Inhale as you lower, forming 90˚ angles with your arms. Keep your elbows tucked in.
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Exhale as you press up, always keeping a micro-bend in your elbows at the top.
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Complete 15-17 reps, 1-3 sets. At the end of each set, hold the dip for 10 seconds.
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Photo of knees bent for a supported Dip.
Walking on a slackline also strengthens the stabilization muscles in the feet and ankles which leads to faster reaction times and prevents injury. More and more gyms across the country offer slacklining as a training tool, and many physical therapists are using it for injury prevention and rehabilitation. For more information or a complete workout, check out ‘Get Fit with Slacklining’ book/ DVD combo by Megan Najera. She guides a workout with instruction for beginner, intermediate and advanced variations of each movement. 10
ABOUT
LONGLINING Longlining refers to walking on slacklines that are rigged at greater than normal distance which is typically considered to be any line longer than 100 feet. These are difficult to walk, as the length reduces the amount of tension and therefore stability. Longlining is done using traditional slackline systems which consist of 1-inch style webbing and pulleys for tensioning. The current record for the longest slackline walked is 1,620 feet.
HIGHLINING Highlining is the branch of slacklining that refers to lines that are higher than they are long. This version of the sport is typically done with 1-inch wide webbing and specialty tensioning and anchoring equipment. Highliners use climbing harnesses along with redundant anchors and lines to ensure their safety. It is a very exclusive part of slacklining that demands advanced rigging knowledge and extreme care to set up and/or walk. Ratchet systems are NEVER used, as highlining requires specific equipment, rigging and proper training.
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ATHLETE
THE MACHINE
ALEX MASON Age: 15 Hometown: El Cerrito, CA Nickname: The Machine
Alex Mason, he keeps going and going and going... nothing out lasts the- you get the idea. Alex is a Machine. Before each competition he’ll down a case of energy drinks and won’t get off the line until the EMCEE tells him to. Seriously. Alex is the most consistant trickliner on the planet. Heck. The UNIVERSE. He first came onto the scene back in 2011, where he ended up taking 3rd place at the USA Nantional Slackline Championships at the age of 13. The following year, he’d not only go on to win the USA National Slackline Championships and take 2nd place at the World Championships, but he also finished out 2012 as the #1 ranked slackliner in the world. After the 2011 Super Bowl halftime show with Madonna, he was on Conan O’Brien and even on Nickelodeon’s Figure It Out! He ended up stumping the judges and winning a trip to Cancun but he didn’t get slimed! If you ask me, he is the one who walked away empty handed. If 2012 is any indication of how 2013 might play out, this may just be the year of The Machine.
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ATHLETE
GAPPAI
TORU OSUGI Age: 28 Hometown: Okayama, Japan Nickname: Gappai
“Yes!” It is the only english he knows, but as the #1 slackliner in Japan, what else do you need to know? Gappai is a high-flying, spinning tornado ninja of a slackliner. Name a trick and he’s got it. Not only that, but he’ll make it look good. Real good. I guess that is why he has been featured in commercials for Reebok and Sony Ericsson. Don’t believe me? Check it out on YouTube, Xperia™ acro HD TVCM 「スラックライン」篇 60 秒スペシャルムービー. Yeah, have fun typing that in. Gappai lives, eats and breathes slacklining but somehow he has managed to get himself a wife and beautiful baby girl. A top-ranked slackliner in the world and a family man? You’d think this was impossible but as his favorite quote says, “Where there is a will, there is a way!” I guess he’s got that will to find the way.
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ATHLETE
THE FISH
FRANKIE NAJERA Age: 28
Hometown: Ramona, CA Nickname: The Fish
If you’ve ever looked up slacklining on YouTube, you’ve likely come across this guy. Frankie first started slacklining back in 2009, when slacklines were actually slack. However that is neither here-nor-there and it doesn’t matter. What matters now is that if you’ve ever wondered how to do a certain trick, Frankie is likely the one who taught you through Trick in a Minute. His passion for slacklining and teaching others has gotten him where he is today. When it comes to competitions, Frankie has a massive amount of tricks to pull from that can easily upset any slackliner with a less than stellar performance on the line. In 2012, Frankie took 3rd place at the USA National Slackline Championships and he finished out the year ranked as #9 in the World Slackline Federation. When Frankie isn’t out slacklining, he is either out running or hanging out with his family. He has a wife and...wait for it... a beautiful baby girl! What! 2 slackliners, both 28 and they are both married and each have a baby girl. Yeah, that’s right! You thought lightning couldn’t strike twice but it did.
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ATHLETE
THE QUEEN
MELISSA BOWE Age: 23
Hometown: West Barnstable, MA Nickname: The Queen All hail the Queen! In 2011, the title of Queen of Slackline was up for grabs and every single female slackliner wanted it. It was an intense battle filled with bloodshed and tears but in the end there was only one woman left standing on top of all those who had fallen. One fierce competitor who took no prisoners and had shown no mercy on the rise to the top. Melissa Bowe. A graduate of Brown University and former gymnast, Melissa quickly came onto the slackline scene and made her way to the top of the slackliner food chain. She is not just the Queen of Slackline but also the #1 ranked female slackliner in the world. But watch out guys, she doesn’t just compete with the women. She regularly competes with the men and sends a few of them crying home to their mamas.
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HOW IT WORKS
COMPETITION REGULATIONS RULESAll slackline competitions hosted by Gibbon are regulated by the World Slackline Federation (WSFed). Our competitions are licensed by this governing body, meaning they comply with all the regulations and all athletes and judges are registered with the WSFed.
FORMATAll competitions are held at a pro level and are invitational. Athletes are seeded according to the World Ranking List to establish a bracket. Athletes compete head-to-head for a total of 2 minutes each in a single elimination format until 1st-3rd place are won.
LEVELSThere are several levels of competition with associated requirements and point values. Jam- 8-16 athletes- total of 16 points may be earned Open- 16-32 athletes- total of 32 points may be earned National Championship- 8-32 athletes- 1 per country per year- total of 16 points may be earned World Cup- 32 of the top-ranked athletes- up to 5 may be held in one year- total of 64 points may be earned World Championship- 8 top-ranked athletes- total of 48 points may be earned
JUDGINGAll competitions are scored by at least 3 certified judges. These judges are awarding points based on 3 general categories: difficulty & technique, creativity & diversity of tricks, amplitude & performance. The athlete with the most points at the end of the match will advance to the next round.
spokane washington june 27-30
JUDGES
JOSH BEAUDOIN
Josh Beaudoin has been teaching and presenting the sport of slacklining for 5 years. His work has led him to a job with Gibbon Slacklines as director of the Slackline Scholarship Challenge. To date, Josh has personally instructed over 16,000 students how to slackline and improve their balance with SSC workshops at middle schools, high schools and colleges across the United States. As a result, Josh recently was asked to present at the Think Big Conference in Dallas, TX, where 1,500+ CEO’s received his guidance in applying the judgment and mindset required with slacklining to their businesses and everyday lives. When he isn’t helping people from all walks of life push their limits on slacklines close to the ground, he is pushing his own on lines much higher up - a discipline called highlining. Josh was profiled as a highliner in an extremely popular YouTube video called “High Line Slack Line with Good Line”. To date, the video has 116,000+ views. Josh plans to continue exposing as many people to slacklining as possible, and as a result, continue to grow the sport that he has so much passion for.
HAYDEN NICKELL
My name is Hayden Nickell, I’m 24 years old. I got into slacklining the summer of 2009 in Yosemite, CA. Out with a friend looking for climbing, we came across some slackers who were more then happy to teach us and let us try their lines. Needless to say I was instantly hooked. From there, I brought a slackline back with me to LA, and then on to Tucson, AZ, where I spent my free time walking the line and learning tricks. Finding Gibbon and their trickline webbing is where the real story begins. Being able to bounce and get airtime on a line became my only goal, until I saw a video of Andy Lewis highlining, and from there highline was on my horizon. Since then, I’ve gone on to travel the USA several times teaching countless people how to slackline, compete in many competitions, walk and establish many highlines, and even travel the world with Madonna on her MDNA tour. Looking ahead, I’m excited to build slackline parks across the nation, and get the next generation of slackers going and stoked, to push their limits and see what they can accomplish.
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BRACKET “THE MACHINE”
ALEX MASON “PALM TREE PUNISHER”
PETER CHEN “YAY!”
BREANNAH YEH
“FLIP”
IMMANUEL BUMB “CITY BOY”
AUSTIN OLIVER “GOODWOOD”
JOSH GREENWOOD “BIG TUNA”
THONAH EP “THE FISH”
WIN
FRANKIE NAJERA “THE SPANIARD”
IONE CANSADO FRIAS “TWIST OF FATE”
JON FAIT
“MITTENS”
KYLE CACKETT “BENJI”
BEN CROCKER
3rd “STICKY”
MICKEY WILSON
NNER
“GAPPAI”
TORU OSUGI “BIG COUNTRY”
LUKE HALL “YUKIMI”
YUKIMI FUKUDA
“ANDROID”
FELIX CARREIRA “CASPER”
HADEN HAMILTON “THE QUEEN”
MELISSA BOWE
“RAGERS”
JUSTIN WAGERS “NETO”
CARLOS NETO “SLAIN”
LANE MASAR
“HONEST”
GABRIEL AGLIO “KILLA”
EZRA TAYLOR
d PLACE “HANGTIME”
DUANE BURKHART
BRACKET “GAPPAI”
TORU OSUGI
“KILLA”
EZRA TAYLOR
“NETO”
CARLOS NETO
“THE SPANIARD”
IONE CANSADO FRIAS
“GOODWOOD”
JOSH GREENWOOD
WINN
“SLAIN”
LANE MASAR
“YUKIMI”
YUKIMI FUKUDA
3rd “FLIP”
IMMANUEL BUMB
NER
“STICKY”
MICKEY WILSON
“CASPER”
HADEN HAMILTON
“BIG COUNTRY”
LUKE HALL
“HONEST”
GABRIEL AGLIO
“HANGTIME”
DUANE BURKHART
“TWIST OF FATE”
JON FAIT
“PALM TREE PUNISHER”
PETER CHEN
d PLACE “ANDROID”
FELIX CARREIRA
TRICK GUIDE
FLIPS
TURNING A SOMERSAULT IN THE AIR
SIDE FLIP
BACK FLIP
FRONT FLIP
SPINS ROTATING AROUND AN AXIS OR CENTER 180°
360°
540°
720°
SINGLE TRICKS Back Flip Side Flip Front Flip 180° 360° 540° 720° Butt Bounce Chest Bounce Back Bounce Drop Knee Foot Plant Double Drop Knee Krook
A backward flip A sideways flip with your legs tucked into yor body A forward flip A 180° turn A 360° turn A 540° turn A 720° turn Landing on your butt with both legs on one side of the line Landing with your chest on the line Landing with your back on the line Dropping your back knee below the line while in a lunge From a drop knee, extending your front leg along the line Dropping both knees inward on the same side of the line Dropping both knees below the line toward the front anchor
COMBOS B360B B540B B720B Sick Nasty Freefall Ascension Mojo Mojo Flat Spin Spiral 27
Butt Bounce Butt Bounce Butt Bounce Butt Bounce Butt Bounce Chest Bounce Chest Bounce Chest Bounce Chest Bounce
360° Butt Bounce 540° Butt Bounce 720° Butt Bounce 360° (around arms) Butt Bounce 360° Chest Bounce 360° Butt Bounce 180° Chest Bounce 360° (flat spin) Chest Bounce 360° (torpedo) Chest Bounce
STATIC TRICKS THAT DO NOT LEAVE THE LINE
DROP KNEE
FOOT PLANT
DOUBLE DROP KNEE
KROOK
DYNAMIC TRICKS THAT LEAVE THE LINE BUTT BOUNCE
CHEST BOUNCE
0
BACK BOUNCE
ATHLETE
RAGERS
JUSTIN WAGERS Age: 18
Hometown: Boulder, CO Nickname: Ragers Some call him Justin. Others call him Wagers. But here in the slackline world, we just call him Ragers. At only 18 years old and going into his second year of competition, Ragers is a bit of a legend in slacklining. It isn’t because he is young or that he wears body armor. It isn’t even because he can land just about every trick out there and has won a number of competitions. Here, I’ll give you a hint. Remember a bunch of years ago at the X-Games, Tony Hawk threw down what was the most difficult trick ever on a vert ramp? Well Mr. Ragers here is the only person in the world who has ever landed a Butt Bounce 900 on a slackline! Oh, and he didn’t just do it once during practice before a competition. He would go on to land it in competition, not once but two times! In a single day, he landed the hardest trick in slacklining 3 times, two of which were in competition. Having that trick in his back pocket is the ultimate trump card in competition. It is a move you’ll likely be seeing more of from Ragers, or should I say, Mr. 900?
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ATHLETE
YUKIMI
YUKIMI FUKUDA Age: 21 Hometown: Chiba, Japan Nickname: Yukimi
If there has ever been a slackliner to watch out for, it is this one right here. Yukimi is the #1 female slackliner in all of Japan and shall I even dare to say perhaps one day soon, the world? Only time will tell, but one thing is for surethis girl can throw down with the best of them. For two years in a row, she has won the women’s division of The Nippon Open Slackline Championships. She placed in the top 16 at the World Cup in Munich, Germany and 2nd place at the OutDoor Slackline Open in Friedrichshafen, Germany. Admist all her slacklining and traveling, she has also found time to star in a few commercials alongside Gappai, check out Xperia™ acro HD TVCM 「スラッ クライン」篇 60秒スペシャルムービー. She’s got the moves, she’s got the style, and she will definitely be one to watch in the upcoming competitions.
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ATHLETE
NETO
CARLOS NETO Age: 23 Hometown: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Nickname: Neto
If there was ever a slackliner who could be considered a international pop star, Carlos would be your guy. Why you ask? Let’s do the run down. He ain’t half bad looking,, he’s from Brazil, he loves the beach, he’s got an accent and speaks another language. Hmm... what else.... oh yeah! How could I forget? ! He just spent the last year, on tour, slacklining everyday, all over the world, in front of thousands of people for the 2012 MADONNA TOUR! MADONNA! YEAH! THE QUEEN OF POP! THIS GUY RIGHT HERE, CARLOS NETO WENT ON TOUR WITH HER. SLACKLINED IN HER SHOW. HECK! SLACKLINED WITH MADONNA! EVERYDAY! FOR A YEAR! Needless to say, Carlos is good. Real good. If you spend a year practicing anything you’re going to be a professional at it. Carlos is a slackline professional in every sense of the word and has the moves to back it up. The consistency, crowd pleasing moves and style, Carlos has it all and is ready to take on the competitive slackline world by storm.
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ATHLETE
GOODWOOD
JOSH GREENWOOD Age: 25 Hometown: Denver, CO Nickname: Goodwood Josh, “The Goodwood,” Greenwood! He’s an actor, an entertainer, creator of a viral YouTube video(“Colorado Girls,” check it out!), professional slackliner and slackline instructor. Of those things which one do you think would be his biggest claim to fame? Actor? Slackliner? Viral YouTube video? It is actually his slackline instructing that is pretty darn awesome. Why you say? Well he just happened to have taught someone pretty famous how to slackline. You might know her by one of these names: M, Madge, The Material Girl or The Queen of Pop. That’s right. Madonna. Josh was hired by the Material Girl to teach her how to slackline for her 2012 World Tour. He went to New York, spent some time with M and got her up and rocking on that slackline to the point where in her live shows, she would actually perform while up on the line! To be able to teach someone like Madonna how to slackline, you have to be a great slackliner yourself. Josh is no exception to this rule and is a definite force to be reckoned with. He’s landed flips of just about every kind including a back flip 360. He is definitely someone you don’t want to miss.
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WSFED RANKINGS
WORLD RANKING: WOMEN RANK 1 2 3 4 7 8 9 10
NAME Melissa Bowe Christine Rank Daniela Schmidt Elisabeth Schulte Sara Kugler Veronika Anna Mangold Breannah Yeh Anna Wallensteiner Alexandra Arendt Alicia Matthews Justyna Wallis
NUMBER
NATION
POINTS
2012US-0412 2012DE-0864 2012DE-0392 2012DE-0818 2012IT-0475 2013DE-0586 2012US-0265 2012AT-0406 2012DE-0926 2012US-0245 2012PL-0886
US DE DE DE IT DE US AT DE US PL
57 20 14 7 7 7 6 5 3 1 1
NUMBER
NATION
POINTS
2012US-0849 2012IT-0609 2012BR-0751 2012JP-0982 2012US-0755 2012US-0634 2012DE-0841 2012DE-0337 2012US-0115 2012US-0655
US IT BR JP US US DE DE US US
242 207 152 142 128 83 69 63 63 61
WORLD RANKING: MEN RANK 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
NAME Alex Mason Lukas Huber Igor Zambelli Toru (Gappai) Osugi Andy Lewis Michael Payton Benjamin Schmid Timo Kurrle Justin Wagers Frankie Najera
Only the best 7 contest results (+ world championship / + 1 national contest) determine the points and position in the world ranking list. The points won by each contest remain for one year. The seeding in contests is based on the world ranking list (as well as invitations for the WorldCup contests). The world ranking list is separated in the categories “Women” and “Men”. As far as there is is only a “Men” competition within one event, the women are allowed to take part in the “Men” contest. To see the full list and to register with the WSFed, please visit. www.wsfed.com
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SSC
Slackline Scholarship Challenge
Gibbon Slacklines strives to give back to the community and introduce kids to a new activity that will get them outside and active. This mission led to the creation of the Slackline Scholarship Challenge (SSC), a program where Gibbon pros come into schools and take over the P.E. hour to teach balance and movement workshops. The program kicked off in January 2012 with athletes visiting elementary, middle, high schools and colleges in the state of Colorado. They offer students general instruction about balance and how it can help improve your overall physical condition and skill across many sports. Students begin by learning good form on a predictable surface and then are introduced to slacklines. Often times, several students get “hooked� on the sport and the SSC helps them to establish clubs at their school.
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Those students who begin slacklining regularly are encouraged to submit videos of their progress to the SSC Facebook page, and once a month, a winner is chosen. Any student may purchase a slackline at a discount from the Gibbon Slacklines website with a code, and all proceeds go to the SSC. In June, a SSC competition is held in Vail, CO to award the scholarship. The program began within the state of CO, but has been expanding to reach out to schools nationwide as the pros travel. To date, over 20,000 students have been introduced to slacklining. The program can not reach every district, but a free curriculum and activity guide are provided for teachers who’d like to incorporate these workshops on their own. Gibbon also extends a 50% discount to any school that would like to have slacklines in their curriculum. Josh Beaudoin is the director of the SSC program and also a WSFed licensed judge for pro competitions. He has been teaching slacklining for several years and always enjoys sharing his passion for the sport with new people.
To find out more, join the SSC Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/sschallenge/ .
PRODUCTS
NEW FOR 2013 SKYLINE ZIPLINE KIT The Skyline Zipline Kit can transform any backyard into an adventure park. The kit includes all the tools needed for quick and easy installation with 2 adults. The whole family can be gliding effortlessly in no time and have the experience of a vacation right at home. This easy-to-install complete kit provides hours of entertainment and is perfect for ziplining at home, in a park or camping. Simple design and quality materials ensure a safe and fun ride. Steel cables. trolley, and mounting hardware included. Available as 60, 75 or 90 foot kits.
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greenville south carolina may 24-27
GIBBON CRASH PAD Padding is not needed when walking on a slackline or starting out, but when starting to learn jumps and tricks, it’s always recommended. This is the official crash pad of Gibbon USA Competitions and the pads the pros use to train. The Gibbon/Madrock crash pad has 5 inches of polyurethane foam specially constructed in 3 layers for slackline training. Heavy-duty, double-stitched Velcro connection strips are included to seamlessly attach multiple pads. Cinch straps and padded handle make it easy to close up and carry. The pad doubles as a seating area allowing you to kick back and relax after a long day of slacklining. Pad dimensions: 24”x44”x15” closed 70”x44”x5” open
GIBBON SLACKRACK 300 This portable, freestanding structure makes it possible to slackline anywhere. Great for getting started, learning static poses or just working on balance in the living room. The perfect solution for slacklining in schools, gyms, health clubs, physical therapy offices and in your own home. The Slackrack is constructed of stainless steel, breaks down to store in 2 sections and includes a 12ft slackline. Specifications: Dimensions: 10ft L x 1ft W x 1ft H Material: stainless steel Weight: 64 lbs 12ft slackline Included
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PRODUCTS
CLASSIC X13 - 49ft/82ft The Classic is the original Gibbon line, designed as an easy-to-use, 2-piece kit with slackline specific webbing. It’s perfect for walking or getting started with tricks. Available in 49 foot or 82 foot lengths. Specifications: Length: up to 49 ft Width: 2 in Max. tension: 4 tons Ratchet with safety lock Ratchet side length: 6.5 ft Reinforced loop slings
FUNLINE X13 - 40ft The slackline made specifically for beginners. The same easy 2-piece set up as the Classic, with a more static beginner webbing and an extra rubber coating for a sticky grip. Specifications: Length: up to 40 ft ( 12m) Width: 2 in (50mm) Max. tension: 4 tons Ratchet with safety lock Ratchet side length: 6.5 ft (2m) Reinforced loop slings
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JIBLINE X13 - 49ft The ultimate trickline, the Jibline is made of a trampoline material offering a more dynamic surface for more bounce. Great for jumps, tricks and intensifying workouts by using it for lunges, dips, planks and more. Specifications: Length: up to 49 ft ( 15m) Width: 2 in (50mm) Max. tension: 3 tons Ratchet with safety lock Ratchet side length: 6.5 ft (2m) Reinforced loop slings
SURFLINE X13 - 98ft Initially created for the pros and surf training, this nearly 100ft trampoline style line has taken off. The heavy-duty ratchet allows for maximum tension and bounce at longer lengths. The Surfline offers a challenge, but has become very popular for all ages. Specifications: Length: up to 98 ft Width: 2 in Max. tension: 3 tons XL Ratchet with safety lock Reinforced loop slings
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EVENTS
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SPONSORS
2013
vail colorado june 8-9