What records were set in highlining?

Highlining is an extreme king of sport that causes adrenaline rush. It is known for ropes tensioned high above the ground. Although highlining is a rather dangerous outdoor activity, some people have managed to set records. They are amazing!

What highlining is?

Highlining is a brand new style of slacklining and a kind of sport connected with balance and heights. Both terms refer to balancing or walking along a flat webbing tensioned between anchors. This kind of sport is very similar to tightrope walking, however it differs from them due to the types of materials used. In this case, the ropes are very elastic.

Sportsmen have to walk the ropes that are tensioned extremely high. Thus, a lot of special protection is needed. Usually highlines are located close to Tyrolean traverse. This style of slacking requires good physical condition of sportsmen and a perfect feeling of balance.

The longest highline

Let us discuss some astonishing records. The first one was set on April, 19 in 2016 by Nathan Paulin and Danny Mensik. Those sportsmen managed to overcome the longest path. Its length was equal to 1020 meters. The highline was 600 meters. This record was later broken by Pablo Signoret and Nathan Paulin in 2017, in France. This time the line was 334 meters high and its total length was 1662 meters.

One more record was set in autumn. In the middle of September several sportsmen walked an extremely long highline which was about 1.9 kilometers. Those were Friedi Kuhne, Mia Noblet, Anthony Boulay, Guillauem Fontaine, Anthony Hotte and Samuel Volery. This record took place in Quebec.

It was lastly broken on July 27, in 2019 by German and British Columbian sportsmen. Their names are Lucas Irmler and Mia Noblet, apparently. They crossed a slackline that was 2 kilometers long and was 200 meters above the ground. The crossing was completed in 58 minutes. In general, the longer highlines are, the lower they are.

The longest free solo highline

In 2012, a female sportsman Faith Dickey crossed a highline that was 28 meters long. It happened in the Czech Republic. As for the male record, the prize goes to Friedi Kuhne who walked a 110-meter-long highline in Southern France.

Highlines

Highlines usually consist of two parts. The first one is called the line. It is made from a tubular nylon webbing. The material is 1-inch-thick. The second part is known as the anchors. They are located at each end of the line and can be set up differently. The most common way is to drill steel bolts into rocks. As one bolt is never enough, there are usually multiple steel bolts installed in order to save sportsmen from certain death in case one of them breaks. This principle is applied to the lines: there is often a so-called ‘backup’ line below the main one.

Highlining techniques

There are different strategies to walk on the highline. As the principle goal of highlining is to reach another end of the line, each and every sportsman does his or her best to do this. Thus, there is no ‘right’ technique that can be used.

Some people feel better when they do it barefoot, while others need to wear shoes to feel comfortable. Aside from shoes, it is important to choose what sounds are the best to focus on. Again, some people tend to listen to music in headphones and others prefer listening to the sounds of nature. It is optional.

The only thing common for all highliners is that all of them make slow movements resembling yoga poses. This helps them maintain balance to reach the other side safe and sound.

Best places to go highlining

The best destinations for those who want to go highlining are usually located somewhere close to rock climbing spots. Amazing routes are established in Moab, Utah or in California. A typical highline located in the ‘Hall of Horrors’ (Los Angeles, USA) is 200 feet high and 70 feet long.

Although the highlining movement started in the USA, there are many places where one can do this in other countries. Athletes come to France, Brazil, Spain and New Zealand to try it. Surprisingly, the highest line ever walked was not located in the USA. Christian Schou traversed a 3280 feet high line in Norway.

As you can see, it is possible to set and break records in highlining. However, it is necessary to be a skilled and well-experienced sportsman to cross highlines.