Cliff faces prove a ‘playground’ for thrill seekers
Trees in a city park or sheer cliff faces may seem like blissful scenic backdrops for some, but for a group of thrill seekers they’re a “playground”. Press photographer Chris Skelton hangs out with Christchurch’s slacklining community. Written by Tatiana Gibbs.
Fer Kpok, originally from Argentina, is one of the mad hatters in Christchurch who take to the skies walking on tightropes up to 100 metres above the ground in the Port Hills.
Highlining is the big brother of slacklining, something Kpok has enjoyed for more than a decade.
“Even for me I get that feeling in my chest,” the experienced highliner says.
“I get a bit of an adrenaline rush each time.”
Highliners take on their breathtaking task in search of a “flow” state of mind, a kind of meditation mindset.
“It makes you not think about anything else; you have to be really focused on what you’re doing,” Kpok says.
“The feeling that you can balance and have control of your own body feels really good.”
The activity is popular in Europe and South America.
Kpok started a Christchurch group in 2014 that meets each Wednesday to slackline in Hagley Park at lower heights of 50cm to 5m.
Between 15 and 20 people currently attend regularly, and there is a passionate community of more than 100 people across the country who are into the sport, Kpok says.
For others wanting “the most spectacular view” of Banks Peninsula, they tread carefully by highlining, which is done at high altitudes.
While it’s more frightening,
Kpok argues highlining is safer than its counterpart that is closer to earth because when you fall you are caught by the leash you’re harnessed into, whereas “you hit the ground” if you fall while slacklining at the park.
Although it’s a bonus to have “a little strength and endurance in the shoulders”, essentially if you can walk in a straight line you can highline, Kpok says. “Anyone can do it.”
“You’re walking where no-one’s walked before.”
People can join the Christchurch Slackline group on Facebook to give it a go.