I had the fortune of joining Britt and Emma in setting up 9 slacklines at the Retreat Yourself Festival on the 20th of February. We shared our passion for this growing sport by hosting a ‘Journey into Slacklining’ workshop on Friday and Saturday.
Journey into Slacklining
Nestled beneath the sweetgum trees, we created a sanctuary to slacklining surrounded by green. Hosting two workshops and providing a space to practice slacklining proved to be a rewarding experience. The sense of ‘play’ the slacklining created at the festival was a highlight of the weekend for one attendee.
Breathe into Balance with Britt
Each workshop started with a warm introduction, followed by deep breaths. Taking a moment to ground our bodies and calm our nervous systems. This process proved to be a powerful way to connect to the moment and prepare for the presence required when walking.
Next, we explored movement. Standing with two feet shoulder width apart, we shifted our weight onto one leg, and then played with the sensation of balance while closing our eyes.
Difference between 2-inch, Primitive, Longline, and Rodeo Slacklines
I introduced the attendees to the different slacklines present at the venue. 6 short two-inch lines with low-stretch were set up tight and low to the ground. This makes them suitable for beginners; however, when tight, the side-to-side movement is limited. Top ropes on four of the lines assisted beginners to take their first steps without concerns of falling.
Two primitive slacklines were set up using a 1-inch wide webbing. This is a light-weight and great slackline for lengths up to 25 meters. However, it is limited in the amount you can tension the line. The tensioning system uses wraps of webbing, so you’ll need 30 meters of webbing to setup a 25-meter-long line.
We setup a 20-meter long slackline using a longline kit. The longline kit uses a weblock paired with the soft release to make longer lengths possible. The height of the anchor is dependent on the tensioning system and strength of the gear. Two of us pulled tension using a hangover and Grippex to setup the 20-meter-long line at hip height.
Waterline Set Up on Sunday
The 30-meter-long waterline was a cherry on the top of a great festival weekend. The river is dammed in sections, with the water near the forest stage being a great depth for a waterline. The anchors were set at hip height and the line when tensioned was positioned a meter and a half above the surface of the water.
I had the fortune of walking the line first, to the amazement and applause of a large crowd lining the riverbank. Jeff, Noa, Emma, Britt, Rogan, Salah, Dean, Grace, and Senzo gave the line a go.
Should you wish to setup a longline across the water you’ll need the following gear. A 30 meter length of webbing, three two-meter slings, one weblock, one soft release, two soft shackles or steel shackles, and three tree protectors.
Highlights of the Festival
The Elandskloof venue stood out as a big asset to the festival. A hike on Friday following the river upstream towards the Northwest offered a series of stunning swimming pools, deep and polished by the flowing waters. Saturday’s rock hoping up a different stream in a northerly direction brought me to a stunning series of waterfalls.
In the evening, from 7 to 11pm you can rollerskate while a DJ lays down tracks next to the rink. The movement of your hips combined with the challenge of moving on four wheels makes this a firm favourite to do with friends.
The music and dancefloors were intimate and vibrant. A favourite was the energetic performance by Native Young. Marimaba, Djembe, guitar, drums, and expressive vocals connected beautifully with those attending.
Bouncing on the water line and doing tricks while in exposure stance was a firm favourite for me. The opportunity to explore movements like the body roll and sick-nasty while being free from a leash is exhilerating.
Cheers Until Retreat Yourself 2026
If you attended the slacklining workshops and you would like to connect with the slacklining community in South Africa, send us a message. We are happy to help add you to the community whatsapp group or share details about the upcoming slacklining events in Cape Town.
Thanks Luc van der Walt for contributing the cover photo and videos.
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