Why Consider this Setup?
Imagine heading out for a slacklining session, and a friend joins you wanting to practice but doesn’t have their slackline. Or, perhaps you’re conducting a workshop with short lines and need to set up more lines than you have webbing for. Following this method will allow you to utilize the excess webbing at the end (the tail) to create additional lines.
Here’s how:
Determine the Gear Required
You will need your slackline webbing plus these items per desired slackline setup.
Use this spread sheet to calculate your gear requirements.
| QT | Item | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | ||
| 3 | Locking or non-locking | |
| 2 | Minus 1 | |
| 2 | Subtract One per shared tree (if the lines are going to be set at a similar height) |
- 1 slackline webbing
- 4 anchors (2 lines x 2 anchors)
- 6 carabiners (2 lines x 3 carabiners)
- 3 line locks ((2 lines x 2 line locks) – 1)
- 3 pieces of tree protection ((2 lines x 2 pieces of tree pro) – 1 shared tree)
Picking Trees (or Anchors Points)
Choose trees close enough so the webbing can span the distance. A handy method to ensure sufficient webbing is to lay it loosely on the ground, tracing the intended slacklines’ path. Don’t forget to allocate extra webbing for tensioning.
Place Your Tree Protection
If your lines are similar in length and height, you can share the tree protection. In our example, we’ll use three pieces for two similarly-heighted lines.
Installing Anchors and Carabiners
Both the starting and ending trees require one anchor each, while the middle tree needs two. Attach a carabiner to each anchor. You could save on gear by girth-hitching the slackline webbing around the first tree, but this limits available webbing for tensioning and later practice.
Setting Your First Line
Establish the initial slackline using the standard primitive system. Be conservative with the tensioning to avoid using excess webbing. Pre-set and re-tension the line—using methods like walking or kneeling on it—to help the webbing settle. Remove any slack before proceeding.
Setting Your Second Line
- Far Tree: Wrap the excess webbing around the middle tree’s outer side (the larger angle) to the last tree. Secure the webbing using a line lock, leaving a tail of about two hand-widths. Ensure the webbing lies flat as you head back to the middle tree.
- Middle Tree: Set up the tensioning system. Tuck away any extra webbing at the anchor for a tidy appearance.
Additional Notes
You can repeat this process as long as your webbing and gear allow. While this method is especially useful with the 108-foot e-line slackline, it’s also suitable for a 50-foot variant or other lengthy webbings.
We hope this guide is beneficial! Tricks like this add fun and optimize the gear we have. Slacklining isn’t only about balance—it’s about innovation and creativity too.
Don’t forget to check out the accompanying video for this guide. For questions or feedback, please comment on the video. Your insights drive our passion. Happy slacklining!
