Daredevil takes on highwire challenge from prom to pier
A HIGHWIRE walker has spectacularly crossed over the waves from Penarth beach to the end of the town’s pier without a safety harness.
Daredevil Ellis Grover made the 270m walk from the prom to the pier during the Circus of the Sea event as part of the wider Carnival Weekender held in Penarth over the weekend.
One eyewitness said the stunning scene was almost scuppered by the incoming tide, with the wire hoisted up just before workmen were cut off. Onlookers were also impressed by trapeze artist Alise Piebalga who pivoted above the heads of day trippers as part of the open-air circus.
Posting on his Facebook page, Ellis said: “I did it! What a lovely few days.
He added: “Be bold, be kind and be brilliant.
“Hard times have been hitting me recently, and this walk has reinforced the special people, and the special life I am so blessed to have.”
Photographs of the scene show Ellis appearing to float above the calm sea below as he crosses the wire holding a pole for balance.
Saturday’s event was organised by production group Splatch and Penarth Circus, in association with Night State.
Thomas Madhavan, from Penarth, who photographed the walk, said: “Weeks of planning went into it all, with a whole day of preparation on Friday, and a technical test run on Friday evening.
“The wire was hoisted up to the pier, to the ship mooring post, with literally minutes to spare, as the tide came in.”
He added: “Ellis did the entire walk with no safety harness, and it was pretty windy on the day.
“It was a pretty amazing feat of concentration and balance.”