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wigglestick
Mar 12, 2003, 11:06 PM
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Hey, I have been considering building a slackline in my backyard for shits and giggles. I am way too lazy to build an elaborate system so this is my plan. I have a deck out my back door that has one section level with the door and then it steps down about 2 feet or so and then extends out until it drops down to the grass. I also have a big tree that is in the perfect location to string the line between the upper section of the deck and the tree. So you would basically walk off the upper section and over the lower section until you get to the tree.
But my question is this. How far does a typical slackline sag when somebody is on it? If my line is suspended 2 feet or so above the deck will the person just end up walking on the deck when the get to the middle of the line?
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phaedrus
Mar 13, 2003, 12:54 AM
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I just tried out my Ethos line and placed it about 3' or so above the ground. It ended up about 1' off the ground when weighted, so 2' might be a bit short for yours. If you can get it to 3' or 4', I'd suggest doing that.
Todd
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easysteve
Mar 13, 2003, 12:59 AM
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8".
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therealbovine
Mar 13, 2003, 3:27 AM
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To keep the line from sagging into the ground would require you to pull your line mega tight. You really want the line slacked....so try getting it higher. I suggest waist high as a minimum, the higher the better. Good luck!
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taionrock
Mar 13, 2003, 7:08 AM
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I'd say atleast like 1'-2'. Cause I know that im not a light guy, and the line can sag a bit...
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wigglestick
Mar 13, 2003, 10:35 PM
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Thanks everybody. I put up the line last night and ended up modifying the design a little. I ended up going off of the deck in the other direction and going to a different tree. The deck is a little more than 2' off of the ground but the ground slopes away so when you are in the middle it is about 3' off the ground and the end is about 4 feet off the ground. Once we got it tight enough it worked great. Now I just need to learn how to walk on that stupid thing. So I have a few more questions.
1. Does the tension relate at all to the difficulty? Like tighter=Harder or vice versa?
2. Shoes or no shoes?
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midwestslacker
Mar 14, 2003, 6:18 PM
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Last summer I put my slackline over my pool and when I would get to the middle of the line I could hear the wood posts cracking. I just thought I would mention that. Just be careful what you're attaching the anchor to on the deck. Otherwise, good luck to walking the line and have fun.
Dan
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lifeguard4
May 4, 2003, 1:36 AM
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I usually set mine up at about 3 feet so that it doesn't hit the ground but I'm relatively new to slacking so I'm not totally sure.
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crimper
Nov 21, 2003, 4:01 PM
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I set up a slackline in my front yard. We tied on end to a 18 yr old tree, and the other to my friends Pathfinder... works wonders! But the grass hates his off road tires!
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therealbovine
Nov 21, 2003, 5:21 PM
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To answer your questions,
1. The amount of tension does make a difference. It seems that new to slacklining you might want it tighter. As you progress you'll want it looser. The funny thing is once you go loose, going back to tighter (which is "supposed to be easier") seems hard again. I think the overall length relates more to the difficulty than the tension when learning. Start on a shorter line (20-30') and go longer as you learn.
2. No shoes gives you more sensitivity and control. While being able to walk in shoes is a bonus on frigid days.
Best of luck!
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coldclimb
Nov 21, 2003, 5:23 PM
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looser is easier, not tighter.
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therealbovine
Nov 21, 2003, 5:30 PM
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Its all opinion. I too like it loose, while the newbies I've whitnessed feel the tighter lines are easier while learning. Experiment!
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