Connected to More Than Just a Strap

Slacklining is about listening to music beneath a clear sky, encouraging those around you, assisting with rigs. Juggling, conversing about potential slacklining locations, and simply enjoying the presence of others is typical. There’s a frightening truth to walking across a two inch strap, 40 feet above the ground, one that fosters connection. 

Local Austin slackliners, Nat Lawson and Tim Goelz, embrace the dangers of slacklining.

Whoever is on the highline treks across, balancing on a strap only 1-2 inches wide. Some perform tricks like a gymnast on the balance beam. Others simply walk across, testing their balance. Of the different types of slacklining, highlining is so high that if one fell, they would die. 

While death is a risk when highlining, there are other possible injuries that can occur. Lawson alluded to a buddy who broke their finger in the leash, someone who hit their head with the steel rings, and many who hyperextended their arms while falling. 

Despite there being such serious risks from the sport, this isn’t the most difficult aspect. 

“The hardest part is stopping, it becomes addicting,” Lawson said. 

It becomes difficult to stop when you know how close you are to accomplishing something you thought was beyond your capacity.

There are serious risks from slacklining, but Lawson and Goelz say they continue because of the strong bond between those who participate, the “slackfam.”

The set of characteristics that someone needs to get on a highline and enjoy it is a more than reasonable “test of character.” 

“When I see a person who will also risk their life for the feeling found on the line, I want to know them,” Goelz said.

This special connection created between like minded individuals who risk their life for a rush of adrenaline makes the sport worthwhile. There is a thrill from slacklining allowing individuals to create a bond found nowhere else. What better way to foster connection than while at 40 feet in the air?

Photos by Connor Downs