Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
BALANCING ACT
Slackline Society of West Chester University is the school’s newest club
Those West Chester University students you have noticed gathered in McBratnie Park who appear to be walking tightropes are not practicing for the circus. They are members of the school’s newest club, the Slackline Society of West Chester University.
Slacklining is a recreational sport of walking on flat nylon webbing between two points. The webbing is strung in most cases between trees, then the slack is ratcheted out to increase the tension in the web.
Developed in Washington State in the 1970s, the sport is having its breakout moment in West Chester.
On Thursday, a group of five students could be seen at the park taking turns balancing in different positions on the web. Slackline has been compared to a narrow trampoline.
“It’s really relaxing and fun,” said Kelsey Tennett, a senior at West Chester practicing her routine Thursday. “We enjoy it a lot. Yoga and rock climbing skills help.”
The West Chester students have been trying to
Slacklining is a recreational sport of walking on flat nylon webbing between two points. The webbing is strung in most cases between trees, then the slack is ratcheted out to increase the tension in the web.
start the club for the past two years, running into resistance from both the university and West Chester Borough about the safety, and hence liability of the niche sport.
“The borough wanted everyone to sign waivers and get permits,” said enthusiast William Welch.
Last fall the students went before the West Chester public works committee meeting to request permission to perform the activity at McBratine Park on W. Nields St.
Parks and Recreation Director Keith Kurowski recommended to the board that participants have insurance or sign waivers be- fore they participate, citing advice from the borough’s solicitor and insurance provider, while slacking enthusiast and West Chester graduate Kurt Van Mol said in his opinion that slacklining was no more dangerous than any other activities that occur at the park, such as a pickup game of basketball. It was pointed out the National Park service allows the sport in its parks.
After a number of public meetings the borough gave the slackers the go ahead, while issuing strict guidelines, including protection of the trees used as anchors and the requirement that all slacklines be easily visible and temporary.
In November the University granted official club status to the group.