I first saw Tim Slab in a Carte Blanche feature of Ruan Kotze’s film ‘Leash up the Dragon’. It beautifully displayed the scale of the Drakensberg mountains and depicted Tim walking above a sea of clouds. The scene was etched into my mind and resurfacing on the day I met Tim in Beaverlac.
After attending the Mayhem Mountain Festival I sat down with Tim Slabolepszy to learn more about this industrious and talented climber and highliner from South Africa.
Where in the world have you slacklined?
I have slacklined in South Africa in Johannesburg, Pretoria, in the Karoo, and Cape Town. In Europe, I slacklined in the Netherlands at a slackmeet in Hildersom, I tried a rodeoline in France in Verdon Gorge while visiting the incredible climbing, and I have slacklined in Belgium.
I was fortunate to travel to Austin in Texas to represent Precious Plastic at the South by Southwest music festival where I did some slacklining too.
Why is slacklining good for you?
I discovered myself through slacklining. It has given me something to be proficient at, and skilled at. It gave my body and mind a positive experience and an energy that I believe will stay with me. While not as strong a presence recently, it is always an attractive activity.
Your style is poised yet energetic! How do you approach posture on a slackline?
Posture approaches me on the line. A comfortable and smooth walk gives you great balance. The Alexander technique reminds me to move with the least amount of energy for each task. A good posture comes naturally and the shoulders and spine then elongate.
When highlining, there is more to think about and my posture changes subtly. In this moment it is important to stay in a cool and relaxed posture, despite it being more challenging to achieve.
When was your first highline?
The fourth of January 2015 with Andy Court and James Dix. I started slacklining six weeks before my first highline. I first saw a picture of Silvain on a 60 meter long line. In the first few weeks of varsity holiday we started to session regularly on a short park line.
Highline vs Slacklining?
Highlining inspired me to slackline. Seeing a picture of Sylvain walking through the air in rocklands totally blew my mind and I wanted to put myself in the air too. It’s all much of the same game, but creating a line in the mountains with friends, walking through the air, being scared, euphoric… Highlining is life.
Do you have a favourite webbing? Tell us why…
I’ve experienced a few different bits of webbing and they are all special and fun in their own ways. I think my favourite webbing is our local Great White. It’s been with me throughout my slackline career and reminds me of what I fell in love with in this small sport and warm community. It’s also very strong and heavy which I like.
What was your first piece of slackline gear?
For Christmas of 2014 my folks got me a 15m tow strap from a car parts shop. That simple rig allowed me to practise everything I needed technique wise to try my first highline with Andy a few weeks later.
Favourite place to setup a slackline?
I found a gem of a spot in Delta park towards the end of 2015. It is a 1 minute walk from the car and hosts a 101m gap between two bomber trees. A 3m dip means I can rig the line at knee height, walk over, tension the line by myself and begin to walk. This spot has allowed me to practise with ease and has helped me grow.
How does it feel to slackline in the rain?
Slacklining in the rain is a very special experience. Webbing is wet. Feet can slip and slide. Can be uncomfortable and painful if you’re reckless… but my favourite thing to do is bounce on a really big line. If you can get about 3 or 4m of bounce going you’ll find something amazing.
As you bounce upwards the rain speeds past your vision.. But on the way down you’ll be falling at the same speed and every drop seems to freeze in space. Time stops in the world around you and you get to be a raindrop.
Have you experienced a slackline snapping?
I’ve never been around a line that has actually snapped. There have been occasions where ratchets explosively ‘pop’. Or primitive rigs ‘deflate’.. But never a length of webbing snapping. For which I’m quite grateful.
Thank you Tim for sharing your slacklining experience
I look forward to sharing more about our highlining adventure in the Wolkberg, Limpopo.
A special thanks to Gustav for contributing photographs
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