(JAMES ISLAND) – The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission is proud to announce the opening of a slackline park within James Island County Park! The popular activity is now open to the public daily at the park’s Climbing Wall area.
Made nationally famous by the Gibbon Slackline Team, who performed alongside Madonna at the 2012 Superbowl, slacklining is an emerging sport that challenges the participant to balance along a dynamic surface known as a slackline. Set up is usually low to the ground with trees serving as anchor points.
In addition to being a sport of its own, slacklining is also popular as a training tool for a variety of athletes. As it can help improve core strength, balance, and reaction time, slacklining is common with climbers, cyclists and other athletes. However, balancing on the slackline is also a fun and mentally stimulating activity for all ages.
The park at the James Island Climbing Wall utilizes a myriad of poles secured into the ground as anchor points for the slacklines. This allows for many different configurations and line lengths. The lines are situated two to three feet off the ground. Below the lines is a surface of pea gravel, the same product used to cushion the landing zone of the 50-foot climbing wall.
The James Island County Park slackline park will feature Gibbon brand slacklines in a variety of styles, including 49-foot and 82-foot-long “classic” lines as well as the Gibbons Jibline, all two inches wide. Additionally, the slackline park will also feature the Gibbon one-inch-wide Flowline.
“We’re excited to expand the recreational offerings at the James Island County Park,” says Josh Hall, Manager for Outdoor Recreation Programs. “The new slackline park will provide a unique opportunity to have fun in a very interesting way while also improving your balance and strength.”
The slackline park is now open to all ages and experience levels free of charge with Climbing Wall admission. Slackline park hours will mimic that of the climbing wall. Starting March 1, operating hours will be 12 p.m. - sunset Tuesday-Friday, and 9 a.m. – sunset on Saturday and Sunday. The park will be open on Mondays as well from Memorial Day through Labor Day. For a full schedule of the Climbing Wall/slackline park hours as well as information on fees, visit www.ccprc.com/wall.
Visitors interested in seeing expert action on the slackline are encouraged to attend the park’s East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival April 19-21. Members of the Gibbon Slackline Team will be on site at the park performing awe-inspiring slackline demonstrations. For more information on the East Coast Paddlesports and Outdoor Festival, visit www.ccprc.com/outdoorfest.
