Slackline Course in Tantra Park

Since its official legalization in early 2017, slacklining is continuing to become a popular sport in the Boulder, CO community. In fact, we have an opportunity to build a slackline obstacle course with the City of Boulder and Slackline Industries in Tantra Park. This course will allow residents, students and visitors of all experience levels to practice slacklining and meet other slackliners in a convenient and central location.

The obstacle course will include 4 steel posts that will support a series of 5+ slacklines that range from 24 foot, beginner lines to 100 foot, advanced lines. This design complements Tantra’s new play structure and offers a progressive learning curve that provides an opportunity for people of all ages to make new friends and have fun improving their balance.

Once the slackline course opens, the City of Boulder will work with celebrity slackliners and volunteers from the slackline community to teach kids in Boulder how to slackline!

We appreciate your help in donating to this wonderful cause and hope to see you all out there! To show our appreciation, each donation of $10 (or more) will get you entered to win a slacklining kit (just make sure to include your email address when you submit your donation!). If you have questions or want to learn more, check out the Boulder Slacklining Association page on Facebook.

Happy slacking!

Once funding is secured, we will work with the Boulder Parks & Recreation department to install the slackline poles. We are on a tight deadline because we need to place the poles before the the ground starts to freeze! Installation date is still TBD.

A celebration will be held, upon the opening of the obstacle course, to welcome the community to the course by teaching folks to slackline!

Why we slackline! (credit to Justin Fricke)

1. It’s a great balance trainer: It’s a whole new kind of balance that your body has to get accustomed to. Rather than putting your arms out horizontal, they’re going vertical, and instead of going sideways (like surfing, skateboarding, etc.) you’re walking straight, foot-over-foot. It feels weird at first, but stick with it and after a while it starts getting natural.
2. You get a great work out: Believe it or not, you use just about every muscle and tendon in your body.  Over time, your muscles and tendons get stronger, and your body learns to balance.
3. There’s always something new to learn: In the beginning, you’ll just be happy to balance on the line for 5 seconds. Over time, you’ll start to get better, and you’ll be able to start walking longer distances. Soon you may start wanting to learn tricks and yoga poses on the line.
4. One of the most portable sports/hobbies: Most sports require a certain setting. For instance:  to surf, you need a surfboard and waves; to rock climb, you need rocks, shoes, and other gear; and the list goes on. For slacklining, you typically only need two trees or posts.
5. Clears your mind: When you’re on a slackline, you have to be completely focused. Clear everything out of your mind, focus on one fixed point, and identify the small adjustments you have to make in order to keep your balance.

Whether you’re new to slacklining or have been doing it for a while, you’re bound to have some fun.

Happy slacking!

Want to learn more about slacklining in Boulder?  Visit this Daily Camera article for more information.