r/Slackline • u/Unique-Seagull-2370 • 21d ago
Please be kind (and helpful) ... 😅
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At 56 years old, I'm super new to slacklining ... always wanted to be able 'to do it', but never put any effort into it - it felt like an unattainable skill. Until a couple of weeks ago where I decided I was going to double-down and get my arse in gear.
Now practising daily for 30-60 mins or so at my climbing gym as a complementary activity to my bouldering and climbing - after rupturing my Achilles 11 months ago and coming back stronger than before (just cracked my first indoor 7a boulder, projecting around 5.11b-c level) I'm determined to improve my mobility, balance, strength and everything else one needs to live to a(n enjoyable) ripe old age.
I've been able to juggle since I was looking for a simple distraction to exam stress at uni at the beginning of the '90s - got as far as reliably juggling 5 balls. Can't do that at the moment ... but I did wonder if I could combine juggling with slacklining - seems like it's definitely possible, even if I'm at a very early, rough stage 😁 !
Any suggestions, tips, ideas or whatever for how to progess / where to go from here wrt slacklining (not juggling) ... ?! (I can do basic forwards and backwards steps, just started to be able to turn, a jump-start onto this short slackline is mostly doable)
And by all means give me warnings as to what I might be over-stressing by practising daily, too!
Any and all constructive inputs welcome ...
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u/Key-Cash6690 20d ago
Setting up your own at the park all different ways helps a lot. Tight, loose, long, short, rodeo. Something middle length and mid tension will likely wind up being easier than this tight 2 inch line for sustained juggling. You'll find your favorite ways you like to rig!
There's so much you can do with 3 ball. There's an insta page called @3ballpatterns or something like that. It has a good video trick bank. I have found great joy flowing with a handful of basics. Mills mess is my favorite 3ball pattern.
5 ball juggling is an admirable goal that takes a lot of grinding from what I gather from friends who have it. From what they have said it's best to get the four ball basic patterns first.
They also suggested practicing over a bed or in waist - high water can save bending over as often.
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u/Unique-Seagull-2370 19d ago
So I’m definitely going to get a slackline for outside in the park for spring and will for sure experiment with rigging … until then, I’ll practise inside.
5 ball juggling: I managed this at university … maaaany many moons ago 😅 - too much time on my hands, I guess 🙈. Since I’ve started practising again, I can see how far I off from that currently … you can see in the video how imprecise my throws are 😬. BUT I will keep practising … and thanks for the suggestions: once I get the basic three ball back under control, will definitely look into your suggestions, so thank you very much for taking the time to write!!
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u/demian_west 21d ago
Try longer lines and 1” webbing too.
Slackline is really really good for your goals: it reinforces legs tendons and all the stabilizer muscles that surround joints (feet, ankles, knees, basin). Additionally, it’s really good for core muscles in the trunk, especially the deep ones. Finally, it’s great for global body posture,
balance (obviously) and proprioception.
By trying longer lines, you will also learn to work more on relaxation. Shorter lines are pretty tense and have a higher own frequency. It’s good for beginner (less scary) and to learn the ropes. Longer lines are slower, and once you get used to it, easier (in a way), more comfortable.
Try longer lines and try the movements you already know. It will be a challenge by itself at first, as the parameters of the balancing system has changed. Try different tensions, from tight lines to very slack ones, and notice the differences. Very slack lines (hence the name), also called rodeo lines, are really fun (and demanding at first), but it’s a great exercise to learn mastering and controlling the body’s gravity center position.
Have fun !
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u/Unique-Seagull-2370 21d ago edited 21d ago
Thank you - just the kind of inputs I was hoping for!
I’m assuming occasional rest days make sense … in the past I’ve always overdone it with new activities like bouldering (gave myself golfer’s elbow before I knew it was a thing). Are there any typical overuse signs to look out for? Thinking ankles might be the first joint to complain …
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u/demian_west 21d ago
I won’t dare being too confident (as it depends a lot on your body and state), but I would say that Achille’s tendon works a lot (and it shows: it becomes noticeably thicker over time).
Listen to your body and it should be fine. Slackline practice has no sudden nor violent movements.1
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u/phaiphai10 21d ago
I think you need to define what you're really after, is it achieving balance, or achieving satisfaction. Because achieving balance could mean doing the same training over and over, as a routine, nothing too complicated. But achieving satisfaction may mean getting better and better with either or both slacklining/juggling, to a point where you can show it to someone and impress them.
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u/Unique-Seagull-2370 21d ago
Fun and training balance at the same time … not out to impress. Also noticed it’s great exercise so seems to be a great combo, just looking for any good, fun progression tips …
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u/phaiphai10 20d ago
Cool. So you could try first walking the whole line. Then try walking it bothways, the turning is strange sometimes, but that will keep you progressing and be confident. Next you can try surfing on the slack. Anything more complicated like backflips and jumps, better do with precautions and place a mat under the line. One very important advice - whenever you feel like trying something mlre difficult, wether it's more distance or something more, always bring a friend with you!!! Good luck🤞🍀
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u/captainkirkthejerk 21d ago
You're solid. Next step is to invest in a 1" line and some white gas
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u/tungstune 21d ago
What is white gas in this context?
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u/Key-Cash6690 20d ago
I believe they're talking about torches. I would say l.e.d. but that's just me.
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u/easylifeforme 20d ago
A lot of people will say get a 1 inch. I prefer 1 inch lines but 2 inches have their place. I'd try to find other slackliners near you. Slackchat on facebook is a good place to ask. You'll get a lot better being around other people who slackline. And incase you are thinking it, age doesn't matter in the slackline community. I've seen people in there 60s make friends and slackline with people in their 20s.