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Sanford ‘slackers’ encourage others to learn |
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Thursday, 25 October 2007 |
by NIKKI ROBERTI
Intern Lifestyles Reporter
You’ve probably seen them when you cut through Sanford Mall on your way to class.
They are the people whose unique hobby engages the interests of many standing by.
They are the “slackers,” as named by Slackline.com.
Slacklining is a sport based on balance and uses nylon webbing tied between two points, such as Sanford Mall trees.
Slacklining is different from tightrope walking because the line is not held taut.
Freshman undecided major Sarah A. Burns said she had been curious about the group of slackers found on campus.
“I see them out there all the time,” she said. “One of my friends used
to do it and he said it was a lot of fun, but I never really knew much
about it.”
Patrick Peacock is an Appalachian State alumnus who graduated in December 2006.
While he says he loves the atmosphere of Boone, one of the reasons he
keeps coming back to visit is because of his friends and slacklining.
He said he got involved in the sport through the influence of his friends.
“I got myself a line and taught myself to do it,” said Peacock. “I
bought all the materials at Great Outdoors Provisions in Winston, but
you can get it at any outdoor shop that has climbing equipment.”
Peacock, who also enjoys unicycling, said slacklining isn’t as difficult as it looks.
All it really takes is concentration and patience, he said.
“The trick is to relax and make sure you have a focal point on the
other end of the tree and settle into the line,” Peacock said. “The way
your body moves effects how the line will move. If you relax and stay
relaxed, then line will do that, too. If you are nervous and shaky,
then the line will be that way.”
Freshman building science major J. Clay Thomas said he noticed the
group slacklining on the mall and couldn’t just be a bystander any
longer.
“I was laying in my hammock and I said ‘I’d rather be doing that than studying,’ he said.
Thomas walked over to the group and met Peacock who had set up his line.
He had never met him before but asked Peacock to teach him how to slackline.
“He was very friendly and outgoing and willing to teach people,” Thomas said of Peacock.
Within the first 30 minutes, Thomas was getting the hang of it.
“I’m picking it up pretty quick,” said Thomas. “It’s not easy but it’s definitely something addicting you want to keep doing.”
Burns also decided to give it a try after watching the group for a while.
“It looked like they were having a great time, and besides, I just enjoy trying new things,” she said.
The others helped her learn how to balance on the line by spotting her.
With their help, she said it wasn’t as hard as it looked.
“It’s also not as dangerous as some people think,” she said. “It was my first time and I never fell and hurt myself.”
Burns said she’ll most likely try it again but she doubts it’ll become a hobby of hers because she’s so busy.
Still, she encourages everyone to look into it like she did.
“I think everyone should try it at least once,” she said.
Thomas, however, said he’d be back out on a line.
He plans on buying his own equipment soon because he enjoyed his lesson with Peacock so much.
Peacock encourages anyone who wants to learn to simply ask someone who is already out on the mall slacklining.
“Everyone here at [Appalachian] is friendly and open-minded,” he said.
“If you just want to just try it out, we’ll help you learn how to do
it.”
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