C8 Tuesday, August 27, 2013
FITNESS & WELL-BEING
HANGING
How much fun can you have with a piece of rope? Quite a lot, according to a growing band of Hongkongers, writes Rachel Jacqueline
LOOSE
Slacklining exponents Andy Knight (above) and Jake Erlich (bottom right) show their moves at the Central ferry piers; Rachel Jacqueline tries her hand (right). Photos: Felix Wong
J
ake Erlich fastens a rope between two poles at the Central ferry piers late on a Tuesday night. He tests its tautness before leaping, almost theatrically, onto the thin line. He wobbles momentarily before gaining balance. Then, gliding along with ease, he explains why he and a growing number of “slackers” make this weekly pilgrimage to indulge in the unusual sport of slacklining. “There is something about walking on a piece of rope that just feels good,” says Erlich, 32, who hails from the US. It’s the springy, trampolinelike quality of the line, he says, and the simplicity of the pursuit of balance, that make it so much fun. “Plus, when you nail something you’ve been working on – a jump, a new distance, or a new trick – it’s like, ‘Ah, that’s just awesome. Did you see me do that?’” he adds. First, let us dispel any confusion: slacklining is not
tightrope walking. Unlike its circus cousin, slacklining relies on the rope being slightly loose, although it must still have some tension. Being lower to the ground, you can jump on and fall off with ease. The spongy nature of the cord gives it some bounce, which allows for stunts like jumps and hand plants. Slacklining, which began in the late 1970s, was originally a way for rock climbers to hone their skills when the weather wouldn’t allow them to climb. At first, they toddled along the chains between the pillars in car parks; next they slung their
There is something about walking on a piece of rope that just feels good JAKE ERLICH, SLACKLINING ENTHUSIAST
climbing ropes around the trees. Today, slacklining is shaping up to be the skateboarding of the new millennium. Slackers can be found on low lines, on high lines hundreds of metres above the ground, and traversing lines over water (“waterlining”). There’s even slackline yoga. But the extreme junkies enjoy the potential for trickery that the ropes bring, a pursuit that’s known as tricklining. A number of specially developed slacklines have appeared on the market to accommodate the sport’s growing scope. They’re made of flat nylon webbing, and come complete with ratcheting systems for easy mounting. They are available in different lengths, and all the colours of the rainbow. Slacklining has mainly been embraced by adventurous types – trail runners, mountain bikers and climbers – as a way to develop strength and balance. But it’s quickly developing into a sport in its own right; world championships have been held since 2008.
The winning move at this year’s competition was a backflip which landed on the 2.5cm-thick rope, and was then followed by a double backflip off the rope. It was a move that had to be seen to be believed. In Hong Kong, Project X has pioneered the sport for the past 10 months, under the leadership of Andy Knight, 30, an avid rock climber. An extreme sports group with a benevolent bent, it holds slacklining meetings for the curious every Tuesday at Central Ferry Pier 9. (This requires a HK$20 donation to charity.) This week, about 30 slackers have gathered at the piers, most of them trickling in after 8pm. Some catch up with friends before tackling the line, still wearing their work gear. One slacker walks on a 20metre stretch of rope, while another performs impressive jumps before catching the rope with his toes, effortlessly regaining his balance. Eager newbies are helped by seasoned slackers. Everyone has a favourite rope configuration,
but the motivation is the same for all: to test their balance, agility and mental fortitude. The feel-good factor is a common theme with the slackers here tonight. But the simplelooking endeavour does offer real challenges. “It requires intense concentration, core strength and balance,” says David Tanner, 29, a slacker of five years. Tanner, a rock climber, says slacklining is now his sport of choice. “Because it’s so difficult, many people give up,” he says. Speaking from first-hand experience, it’s easy to see why. Don’t be fooled – slacklining is hard; really hard. The ropes shake violently beneath you when you first get on, and progress is slow. After my first hour, I’d only managed to stand on the rope for a few seconds without falling off; I hadn’t taken a single step. Tenacity plays a big part. “If you’re the type of person that can fail and then get back up, you will find it a lot of fun,” says Tanner. He’s right, it’s addictive. “At first it’s just about
survival,” says Knight, 30. “But then you start to learn all the crazy balance tricks and the spins, or you start to walk longer distances and go higher up,” he adds. “It’s still evolving. I know of people who set up slacklines on slopes, and then slide down in socks, trying to do tricks as they move down the line. It’s crazy.” For former snowboarder Arisa Tanaka, 28, slacklining is all about the challenge. “It’s difficult, as it’s a balance sport,” she says. “I also like it because it’s become risky now I’m trying to do more difficult tricks. If I don’t concentrate, I’ll get injured.” The sport also involves a community spirit, which is driven by its competitive nature. The Slacklining Facebook group of Hong Kong was created by enthusiasts seven months ago. It holds regular weekend sessions on Hong Kong’s beaches, where enthusiasts can attempt new moves with the knowledge that there’s a soft landing below.
Certainly, competition plays a part. “There is a certain one-upmanship aspect to it,” says Erlich. “You see someone do something, and you want to try it, too.” If you want to give slacklining a go, don’t be discouraged by your initial failure. Because that first failure is guaranteed. Erlich says it takes most people at least three “tries” to pick it up, but from there, the sky’s the limit. Erlich, a distributor for the Gibbon brand of slacklines, knows this as well as anyone. He has developed into a keen exponent who likes to show off his signature move, “the surf”. This entails shaking the rope with his feet while staying on, or “surfing the line”. The enthusiasm with which these characters approach their sport suggests slacklining is here to stay. But they agree it may be a bit too unconventional to ever catch on in a big way. “It’ll never be a mainstream sport,” says Knight. And Erlich agrees: “I think it’s niche.” life@scmp.com
PLAY LIKE A PRO ............................................................. Anirban Lahiri life@scmp.com There are always ups and downs in golf. There are days when you shoot a low number and leave the course with a broad smile, and then there are times when you leave feeling frustrated. I won three of my Asian Tour titles through a play-off and I can tell you that the victories did not come easy. Golf fans and the press often ask me how I deal with the pressure when I’m competing in a tournament. The answer is that I rely on anuloma viloma (alternate nostril) meditation, which keeps me calm and collected throughout the tournament. Meditation has given me a new perspective on how to control my emotions, and this helps me recover mentally after a bad round, or after a bad shot. Here’s my simple guide to meditation techniques.
Step 1. Find a relaxing spot and sit with your legs crossed, or in the lotus position if you can.
Step 2. Cover your right nostril and breathe deeply. Focus on your breathing and try to keep your mind from wandering.
Step 3. Repeat step 2, but cover your left nostril instead. Remember to concentrate on your breathing. Benefits: meditation helps you to relax and deal with frustration. In golf, it gives you the power to control your emotions, even after hitting a bad shot. Suggested reps: you can repeat steps 2 and 3 to the count of four or eight. For beginners, you can do three rounds, gradually increasing to 20 rounds when you feel comfortable. Practice makes perfect, so remember to do this daily. Anirban Lahiri is an Asian Tour golf champion