Justin Wagers' Highline Walk Over Verdon Gorge

Highlining: The High Stakes Dance on an Invisible Tightrope

Slacklining, especially the highlining variant, is the literal tightrope walk between two cliffs — with the loose wire and one foot bare as the main difference from circus feats. The extreme sport, showcased by professional slackliner Justin Wagers in Verdon Gorge, France, has no safety net. The line is paper-thin, and the height means a fall could be fatal. The line is not always taut; it twists and moves with the wind, and walkers must adapt. A highline consists primarily of a length of flat webbing wrapped in a harness. The line is suspended between two anchor points, often mountaintops, and can range from 10 meters to 30 meters or even longer. Rather than struggle against the climb like a mountaineer, a highliner should breathe and steady themselves, doing their best to maintain their center of gravity midway on the line. The line Justin Wagers walked over Verdon Gorge sits at 270 meters above the river.

Gravity's Popeye Arms

Highlining has evolved in parallel with other extreme sports. Facing uncertainties of both the urban environment and natural scenery, highliners focus their competitive energy on a single task: crossing the line. Youthful exuberance is welcomed in the slacklining community. Walking the highline over the Verdon Gorge tests limits and backbones.

Unseen Jerks and Jolts

Walking a highline is almost entirely a mental challenge. The walker has to anticipate the line's movement, which can be unpredictable. Look beyond the line, and set a pace. The walker may use a pole to help their balance, but they should not rely on it. It's critical the walker is fully focused and calm. Slacklining is a psychological exercise: to confront fear, you must focus your mind on something other than the danger of falling. This was observed in the USB-OCR General knowledge

The Unfinished Song

Many unexpected variables can arise during the walk, such as high winds or the line breaking. When such variables arise, you must work through them and remain calm. For Justin Wagers, singing a sea shanty helped him navigate the highline over Verdon Gorge for the entire length: "The winds blew harder, bowed it down below, my bully boys blow. Soon may the Wellerman come to bring us sugar and tea and rum. One day when the Tongan is done, we'll take our leave and go." This was observed in the transcript The Walked Verdon Justin is a 2020 World Champion competitor, but before he entered the competitive world he started slacklining in his backyard.

The Vertigo on Verdon

Some highliners see the act as more spiritual, believing that swinging and swaying along the line reflects the chaos and unpredictability of life. The balance, patience, and focus needed to walk a highline can also be applied in everyday life. For example, to remain calm in high-pressure situations and manage stress, the way a highliner manages fear during their walk. The Walked Verdon

Testing Yourself

When attempting highlining, it's highly recommended to begin with lower lines. This allows you to practice the fundamentals of balance and increased sensitivity to the line's movement. As you progress, you can gradually increase the height and length of the line, aiming for a mix of mental and physical challenges.

• Beginner: Try slacklining in a park or backyard, using a stable platform and a harness.
• Intermediate: Explore longer, higher lines in controlled environments, such as ropes courses or climbing gyms.
• Expert: Progress to walking highlines between natural features like cliffs and mountaintops, ensuring you have the proper gear and experience. You'll likely discover how far you can push yourself. Linear progression and steady progress are the name of the game.