Need a little balance in your life? Head down to Nexen Beach this weekend and take in some slacklining.
The third annual Hevyfest - the original North American slacklining festival - returns to Squamish's Oceanfront lands Saturday (July 31) from 2 to 8 p.m. for another day of games, music, food and merriment.
"Hevyfest is a celebration funky skills that climbers do on so called rest days," states organizer Hevy Huups, a.k.a. Allan, on the event website. "These skills continue to grow, but the main ones are slacklining, hacky sacks, huups, juggling, poi, Frisbee, and of course sumo pad wrestling from the bouldering crew."
Slacklining is a balance sport that uses nylon webbing yanked between two anchor points. It's distinct from tightrope walking in that the line is not held rigidly taut, although it is still under a lot of tension, it is instead dynamic, stretching and bouncing like a long and narrow trampoline.
The line's tension can be adjusted to suit the user and different types of dynamic webbing can be used to achieve a variety of feats. The line itself is flat, due to the nature of webbing, thus keeping the slacker's footing from rolling as would be the case with an ordinary rope.
The dynamic nature of the line allows for impressive tricks and stunts.
If this sounds like the activity for you, Hevfest is the place to be. On Saturday, portions of Nexen Beach will transform into a slackline course, with over 1,000 feet of nylon webbing strung over a network of beginner, intermediate and highly technical expert routes.
"This year we have upgraded, and doubled the styles and amounts of lines for your pleasure," states Hevy.
The lines run from a short, 12-foot course to a 70-foot uphill route, to a line strung over the Howe Sound. And so-called "pirate lines" are also welcome.
For the balance-challenged, there's plenty more entertainment and other activities to choose from.
"There will be an open accoustic stage, as well as DJs playing inspirational music throughout the day, cool and funky food and vendors, urban art mural, glassblowing demo, slackline demos, kid's activity area, beginners and intermediate and expert areas."
All participants are asked to pack out what they pack in. For more information, go to www.myspace.com/hevyfest#ixzz0uWixIfeo.
