Balansa Slackline Operator's manual
FUN, SPORT AND MEDITATION ALL IN ONE!
BALANCE WORKSHOPS AND COURSES | EQUIPMENT | EVENTS
!Never let the webbing to start rubbing on the sides of the
tensioner shaft as we can see on the picture bellow
7To release the slackline, pull the safety handle, hold it and open the tensioner completely
until the release. When webbing is tensed more, we need a bigger force to open the handle!
www.balansa.si/en
Cog teeth
Locking plate
3Before and during the tensioning be careful that the webbing is in the middle of the tensioner
shaft. Use one hand to hold both ends of the webbing and the other to work the tensioner.
4We can control the position of the webbing on
the tensioner shaft by pulling the tensioner in the
opposite direction of the webbing running away
from tensioner. Use end of the webbing or a piece
of rope for help.
Safety mechanism
Additional
webbing
Handle for
tensioning
Locking plate
— practice truth, fear nothing —
Learn to catch and maintain a moment of balance
between one unstable position and the next!
2Pull the webbing to the tensioner so it is parallel without any twists or turns and insert it in the
shaft. Pull the end of the webbing back towards the first mounting point.
Tensioner
Padding
Webbing
1Fold the webbing before entering the
loop, so it will be horizontal after the loop.
This has to be done for both mounting
points. Turn the tensioner so the tensioning
faces the ground.
PROPER WEBBING SET UP AND COMMON
MISTAKES
TIGHTENING AND RELEASING THE SLACKLINE
While tightening and releasing the slackline, always follow the instructions bellow:
• Find a healthy tree with a diameter of at least 30cm.
• Use the tree padding to protect the tree and the slackline.
• Set up the slackline to the desired height (not more than one meter) so the slackline is hori-
zontal.
• Correctly set up the webbing and slackline.
• Tighten the slackline to the desired tension using the tensioner and engage the safety handle.
• After use, release the slackline and clean up.
Slacklining is safe if we take care of the following factors:
• Always warm up.
• Use soft shoes with flat sole or, if possible, its even nicer to go barefoot.
• Getting up on the line should be careful and mindful.
• Length, height, and tension are adjusted step by step, according to our progress.
• Getting off the line should be controlled as much as possible. Don’t push away!
5Always make sure the cog teeth on
either side of the tensioner are safely locked
by the locking plate. If this did not happen
just apply a bit more force on the tensioning
handle so that the teeth lock.
6After tensioning, secure the tensioner with completely closing the
tensioner handle and locking the safety plate.
HOW TO START?
Did you try to step on a slackline but it started to shake uncontrollably? Do not worry, this is
completely normal. Besides perseverance, it is important to pay attention to the following key
factors:
1. Focus your gaze on a single stationary point horizontally in front of you. When walking along
the webbing, we learn how to maintain balance by minimising our reliance on visual signals as
this helps us gain better awareness of our entire body. By looking straight in front of you, you
improve your body posture, focus and spatial awareness.
2. Place your feet horizontally along the webbing (and not under an angle).
3. Hold your arms above the shoulders in the form of a letter U and, to find balance, move
them gently and perpendicularly to the webbing.
4. Slightly bend your knees to engage the legs, tense your torso and completely relax your
arms.
5. Be mindful of how you transfer your weight. Shift the weight to your front leg only when you
have properly placed it on the webbing. Do not rush!
6. Be conscious of your breathing and keep it calm and steady. This will help to prevent
stiffness in your body. Breathing also calms down an overly active and wandering mind.
MAINTENANCE
Only use warm water to clean the webbing and tensioner. Never use solvents or other chemicals. Don't
rub the slackline against a harder material while cleaning so you won't damage it.
Webbing and tensioner should always be kept in a dry and dark space away from direct sunlight.
Jamming and corrosion of tensioner can be avoided with a few drops of motor oil.
Always check the webbing and tensioner before use for damage. Stop using the slackline if damage
bellow is observed:
• Cut longer than 10% of webbing width.
• Damaged or broken cog tooth or tensioner corrosion over a large area.
• Torn or damaged stiches.
USER MANUAL ENG
• When you are making your first steps on a slackline, let someone help you to find balan-
ce by holding your hand – but only to prevent you from falling (holding out one finger is
enough). You can also decrease the difficulty by having someone sit on the middle of the
slackline and stabilize it with their feet.
• It is easiest to start in the basic position, by putting one foot on the webbing and use the
other for finding balance.
• Beginners should start practicing on a slackline which is pulled tight and mounted close
to the ground (20cm above the ground). The length of the line should be 3m to 6m.
• As you progress, you can gradually mount the slackline higher above the ground and
allow for more slack in it.
__________________________________________________________
One of inherent characteristics of walking along the webbing is its constant shaking and a
wave-like motion which is caused by us. If we want to walk on a slackline, we must find the
right balance between maintaining conscious, rational control and surrendering to feelings and
intuition or, in other words, unconscious responses. It is clear that the latter signals arise in our
brain faster and therefore influence our balance to a larger extent.By practising, we can tap
into our unconscious and start discovering our new abilities and possibilities. This is also whe-
re our creativity stems from and, by practising balance, we can learn many other useful skills!
__________________________________________________________
• You can get more tips, exercises and theory on progression in the supplied training guide
and at www.balansa.si/en/developing-skills/
• We also invite you to our Balance Workshops and Courses where you will be able to
explore all the dimensions of this physical and mental practice of walking along a slackli-
ne.
SAFETY WARNING
Slackline is designed for careful and slow walking for one person at the time over a flat, even
and soft terrain away from dangerous objects and other people that could cause injury in case
of a fall.
Slackline is a dangerous device and must be handled accordingly. In the tensed webbing there
can be a lot of stored energy and if not treated carefully, serious injuries or even death can
occur.
• Before use always check if slackline is safe and undamaged.
• Slackline can only be tightened by hand, without the use of any levers as working load
limit can be exceeded.
• Make sure that the attachment points are strong enough. Trees with diameter of less
than 30cm are not appropriate rigging points as well as dead or rotten trees, cars, street
lamps, fences etc. Always follow the user manual and common sense.
• Always use protective padding at attachment points.
• Before walking the slackline, always make sure there are no branches, sticks, holes or
other dangerous objects under and near the slackline.
• Only one person at a time can walk the slackline. Load on the slackline must not be over
150kg.
• Never set up the slackline over concrete or asphalt. Soft grass or padding is the best.
Never set up the slackline more than one meter above the ground.
• Never leave the slackline tensioned over a longer period of time (more than a day),
always put it down after use to prevent injuries of people passing by. Slackline should not
be exposed to direct sunlight for a longer period.
• Never elongate the slackline using another slackline. Equipment in one slackline set is
only designed for a specific length.
• Never customize the equipment in the slackline set.
• Minors should never set up and tension the slackline and can only walk on it under a
strict supervision of their parents.
Manufacturer/distributor are not responsible for injuries, sustained while using the slackline.
WARRANTY
Manufacturer/distributor ensures one-year warranty starting with the day of the purchase. Handling
and use not according to the safety and user manual voids the warranty. Warranty is not included for
normal wear of materials.
In case of a problem or need of additional help please contact manufacturer:
Balansa Slackline
Krivec 44, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
+386 31 782 952
