Princeton Slacklining Club

Ever dream of being in the circus? Here’s your chance — just like the tightrope, but with a rope that’s relatively loose, slacklining is a fun way to practice balance and feel like an acrobat. Ever since it was informally established in 2007, the Princeton Slacklining Club has been gaining momentum. Composed of both experienced and non-experienced slackers, the members casually set up slacklines across campus, mainly at Alexander Beach, Spelman Halls, 1901-Laughlin Hall and 2 Dickinson, to challenge themselves in the company of friends. I sat down with Sam Borchard ’11, the founder of the club, to talk about the fairly unknown and exciting hobby on campus.

Q: How did the club get started?

A: Around the world, it was started within the climbing community. Between climbs, climbers would get together and slackline as a break from climbing. The equipment was similar, so it was easy to set up. I did a little bit of it in high school. Then my freshman spring, Denali Barron ’09 and I both wanted to try it. It was during reading period ... We were studying while we were there, and we had chairs. And it just got started from there. It’s not a very big student group. We have a Facebook group, and someone puts in the slackline and emails others, and whoever can do it joins them.

Q: What do you enjoy about it?

A: It’s interesting. You have to focus very closely on staying upright and balanced. It’s also fun. It feels cool and it’s a cool thing to see. You can progress on it really easily with time and practicing it often.

Q: What kind of advice would you give to starters?

A: You’ve got to keep at it. It took me close to six to eight hours to get on it and balance before I could stay on it upright and keep on it for more than a second or two. So you really have to push through it. You’re not going to get it on your first try.

Q: Is it the same mentality as climbing?

A: The focus is similar, but they feel very different. Slacklining is more like meditating. It’s slower and often done alone or with a small group. The focus is more about balance. Climbing is more dynamic and active.

Q: I noticed that the Facebook group has a list of “dos” and “don’ts” with setting up a slackline. How is the club environmentally aware?

A: So there are certain trees we stay away from — any new trees. It takes a while to get a root structure. There are also insurance issues to make sure there isn’t any damage to the trees. The biggest thing is padding the trees and making sure they are large enough and, when possible, have large bark. Padding the trees with sleeping pads or towels helps to distribute the force.

Q: What’s your coolest trick?

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A: My coolest thing is jumping from the ground to the line. Chris Koscielny ’11 can do jumps from the line to the line, moving across it. That’s probably the next step!

Interview conducted, condensed and edited by Kathy Qu.