Highliners or the Fight with the Atom – Atomium

Highliners

Highliners as well as Slackliners balance on a 35mm wide nylon or polyester webbing. The difference is that the Highliners are practicing high above the ground.

As we reach the Atomium on a rainy overcast afternoon, we could see people were on one of the atoms. Getting closer, we can also see a rope. Now it is clear that these are obviously slackliners, or to say it correctly Highliners. The rope is tense at the Atomium in approx. 70 m of height.

The fight with the atom

Something appeared a bit strange. A man, wearing a fluffy costume hangs on a second rope below the line. Apparently he tries to take a photograph or to film. In the meantime heavy rain began to fall. With his soaked costume, he could barely get a grip on the already smooth as glass glittering facades of the Atomium. For an endless long time, he is struggling to reach the platform where his colleagues are waiting.

In the meantime the ticket office was closed, so that we had to come again the next day to visit the Atomium. But we observe from the restaurant how another Slackliner struggles on the line. We realize that he has to deal not only with the moisture, but also with the wind.

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The actors

We find out that it is the group of BeSlack, a union of young Belgian Slackliners. Once a year they have the opportunity to train here at the Atomium. They have invited some friends from Spain and France.

The next day

The next day brings sunshine again and significantly lower wind. The training conditions have substantially improved. However, we admire the young athletes. Besides absolute confidence in the material, a large portion of courage and a good condition, they are willing to practice again and again. Probably they are less sensitive to pain.

As the circumstances have improved, it works much better on the line. It is a pleasure to watch them on the highlining.

Please read on > Cinquantenaire – Park of the Fiftieth Anniversary 

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