Most students have been lucky enough to witness the slackliners in action at OSU. To most, they are referred to as the “tightrope people,” or something of the like. While slacklining does bear similarities to this circus trick, it is actually unique.

The act of slacklining involves tethering a 1-inch tubed webbing between two anchor points. The rope is secured using a carabiner and can maintain a weight of 4,000 pounds.

“The mental focus experienced while walking the line is just beautiful. As far as the walker is concerned, the outside world does not exist; it takes 100 percent of your brainpower to maintain balance. If you let the outside world into your thoughts for an instant, you fall off,” said Ian Roth, an active slackliner and OSU alumnus.

While the act most commonly seen on campus involves walking just a few feet above the ground, there is also a style of slacklining called “highlining.” As the name suggests, the walker is often much higher off the ground and is tethered to the rope for safety.

Slacklining has gained a lot of momentum as an extracurricular activity for rock climbers. Often on rest days or while at camp, climbers will slackline to work on their mental focus. Though it may be recreational, the sport does take a great deal of practice.

“Persistence is key. Also, coming to grips with the fact that you are going to take a lot of falls. Keep getting back on the line until you get another step. A fun game for beginners is to loosely tie a string on the line as a marker for the furthest point walked, and push it forward with your toes as you get better. Soon enough it will be to the far anchor,” Roth said.

Clearly the art of slacklining is for the calm and patient, but not for the faint of heart.

“I really enjoy the feeling of mastering a skill,” said Jesse Hansen, slackliner at OSU. “When I am slacklining, especially on a high line, there is a moment of focus that is unparalleled in anything I have ever done.”