Tightrope Walking

Patrick Donnelly · 01-14-2010, 06:49 PM

Does anyone know where to find any information on tightrope walking, particularly with regards to setting up the line? I've grown fond of slacklining lately and would like to give the wire a go. Unfortunately, all of my searches for info have led me to books and articles about sociology (such as "Social Work and Child Abuse: Still walking the tightrope?" by Dave Merrick), which isn't very helpful at all. So, if anyone possibly knows a resource for this sort of info, please let me know.

Also, "Man on Wire" was an awesome documentary, and I'd highly recommend it to anyone who hasn't seen it.

Garrett Smith · 01-15-2010, 04:16 AM

Have you looked up "circus" groups in your area?

For example, here's the folks in my area:
http://tucsoncircusarts.com/

No tightrope walkers, but they would likely know where to find the info...

Rick Deckart · 01-15-2010, 07:28 AM

Have a look at this site---lots of material in chapter 3.

James Evans · 01-15-2010, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Puetz

Have a look at this site---lots of material in chapter 3.

Peter, I hope you're not trying any of this jackassery. You're too old for circus tricks!

Eyes on the prize, eh?

Patrick Donnelly · 01-15-2010, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peter Puetz

Have a look at this site---lots of material in chapter 3.

Wow, that is great stuff. How in the world did you find that site?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garrett Smith

Have you looked up "circus" groups in your area?

For example, here's the folks in my area:
http://tucsoncircusarts.com/

No tightrope walkers, but they would likely know where to find the info...

That made it surprisingly easy. Took about 30 seconds on Google to find a club in north VA (after having already spend 2-3hrs looking for general info), about an hour away, and one that even does tightrope stuff. I'll shoot them an email to see if I can get some specifics answered, and maybe even stop by for a visit.

Patrick Donnelly · 01-18-2010, 02:02 PM

Hm, tightwire walking is starting to seem less and less feasible, due to the requirements of the anchors. In order to hold the wire taut without much of a drop in the middle, it takes a few thousand pounds of force (and mathematically, as the sag goes to zero, the tension goes to infinity). The easiest riggings for tightropes are small free-standing things, which wouldn't make for anything flashy. This'll require some more thought.