chomps1211

Used my REI dividend to pick a 49 ft. Gibbon 2" SlackLine last night. I set it up this morning in the back yard and after 10-15 min. of trying to stand up on the thing I couldn't manage to stay on it for even a full second, let alone balance! I was Huffin' n Puffin' and sweating Bullets!! I was really sure that I had made a big mistake buying it. I was sure I would NEVER be able to balance on it ever!!!

I kept at it tho and after about 45 min. I was able to stay on for more than 30 sec. I am hoping that by the time the 2013/14 snowboard season rolls around it will give me a Huge improvement in my balance for snowboarding!

...a word of warning for anyone who is thinking of trying this! Keep it low enough so that when you fall off straddling the line, it won't snap back and hit you in your crotch!!!

I Got THWACKED in the Junk about 10 minutes before recording these clips!! Upon recovering, I immediately lowered the line!!! (...they really should have a BIG red warning for that on the box!!) I'd love to hear from anyone else who has some experience with these, find out if you think it helped your Boarding at all!!



Damn,.. Watching this clip, I can really see the 30 lbs I put on since last year!! Hope this helps in getting that gone!!!

I'm posting a clip for any who might wish to call "BullShit"!

__________________
You're only Young Once,.. but you can be Immature FOREVER!!!!
2012/13 Season;
(48) days out!

timmytard

Just of of curiosity Chomps, is that the same as a ratchet tie down?

If not, what's the diff? Thicker strap for walkin' on?

I might have to set one of those up?


TT

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If whatever doesn't kill you, only makes you stronger.

Then I am so close to immortality

mojo maestro

If you give a fuck about your trees........don't leave it set up. I tore my toenail on my bigtoe completely off, comin' off the line. Pretty funny with the "nut shot"......I did the same thing.......immediately lowered the line.

neni

good job! Looks very interesting. I'm sure it helps to get a great sense of balance.
Oh and yes, I see the danger of it

EatRideSleep

I was wondering the same.

The Deacon

I need to try this. It looks like it would be great for my rehab.

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My last signature was too hostile. I'm not that mean.

chomps1211

It is basically a ratchet tie down but,.. The ratchet & strap are heavier duty. The strap is wider and both are rated at 4 tons tension. Also the ratchet handle is bigger to get the leverage to tension it and locks to keep the whole thing from coming undone while you're on it.

I'm not sure a regular cargo type tie down would hold up. (unless we're talking like Big Rig cargo tiedowns maybe!) If you know exactly what you're doing, you could probably rig a Do-it yourself slack line, but I think you'd be taking a bigger risk of having it fail & hurt you!

Thanks, I was aware that leaving the line set up would damage the trees! It's easy enough to set up & take down, so no need to risk them by leaving it up! OUCH!!! ...the toenail thing sounds painful! I'll have to clip the talons before I do this again! (...I'm seriously considering a "Cup" too!!) If I'd set it up Two inches higher, I think I might have wound up Neutered!!!!
I started in Tennis shoes but the grass & ground were wet & shoes kept slipping off the webbing, so that's when I went for it barefoot!

Kept at it for about 2 hours this morning going in 10-15 min. sets, with time in between to sit and sweat & wheeze!! Man!! I'm Sore tonight!!!!

__________________
You're only Young Once,.. but you can be Immature FOREVER!!!!
2012/13 Season;
(48) days out!

The Deacon

Is this gonna be you by fall?
King of Slackline 2011 Round9 Rei - YouTube

__________________
My last signature was too hostile. I'm not that mean.

chomps1211

Oh,.. and I'm aware it's kind of a lame little vid clip, but I was genuinely amazed that I was able to stay balanced on the line like that after only 40-45 min. of trying. The first 30, I seriously couldn't keep the line under me! I would get on it barely long enough to get my leg almost straight, and off I'd come!
I thought for sure I'd be taking it back to REI tomorrow! All of the sudden & rather quickly,.. I was getting up & balancing on it (sort of) for 2-3 & 4 seconds at a time before falling off! Then all at once,.. I jumped right from 5 to 30+ seconds. I was pretty stoked! I wanted to share my small success! (...I am NOT naturally athletic!) Thus the laughing and smiling in the first part of clip!

I sincerely hope it does work to improve my core strength and balance for next season! If I can get past my mental block, I'd like to start getting some real air next season! I also figure better balance will help me to dial in and trick out my butters & whatnot!!

(GOD,.. I miss the Snow!!)

__________________
You're only Young Once,.. but you can be Immature FOREVER!!!!
2012/13 Season;
(48) days out!

chomps1211

Haha! The falling part?? Sure!! LOL! I can probably swing that!!

Oh, and long pants are a good idea when attempting this too!! It's a Giant bowstring scraping up your legs when you slide off! (...archery buffs know what I mean!) Got a nice welt on the back of my L leg! Watch "The King" at the end of that YT video the Deacon linked,.. He's not hopping to catch his balance or in excitement! He's "Hopping" cuz the line whipped right up along his back!
It's OwwOwOwwOwOwwOwwOww THAT F'ING HURT!!


P.S. NOTHING besides snowboarding would make me willing to put up with all the pain & injuries I've had in the last 2 years!!!

__________________
You're only Young Once,.. but you can be Immature FOREVER!!!!
2012/13 Season;
(48) days out!