The towering cliffs of West Cape Howe near Albany on West Australia’s rugged south coast have been conquered by a band of daredevil slackliners.
Slacklining involves balancing across a narrow piece of webbing that is 2.5 centimetres wide and suspended between two anchor points.
Standing at a dizzying 60 metres above the swirling Southern Ocean, West Cape Howe could be regarded as the Holy Grail for slackliners like Alex Clapin.
“You do it 100 times in the park and it’s easy, but you get out on the line and look down and feel that exposure and it’s just terrifying.”
Perth Midliners help balance sport grow
Mr Clapin is a member of a close-knit collective of WA slackliners called the Perth Midliners, which is slowly but surely growing the fringe sport in the state.
The group usually meets in Perth parks to practise their craft, but lately, they have been venturing further afield in search of more demanding slacklines.
Two slacklines — one measuring 60m in length and another outer line measuring 115m — were rigged across a cavernous gap at West Cape Howe.
Mr Clapin said the group made sure they used the correct safety gear.
“You’ve got a standard climbing harness and that is attached by a strong leash and ring set that is hooked around the line,” he said.
Group vows to return to windswept cliffs
Due to being battered by relentless coastal winds, Jack Gooch was the only member of the crew who made it across the 60m slackline without falling.
As a result, he was rewarded with naming rights on the line and chose the ironic title of Calm Corner to describe the windswept location.
For now, the 150m line remains unconquered, but Mr Clapin says the group will return for another attempt soon.
“I think it’s just facing that fear and overcoming it,” he said.
“For me, it terrifies me, and I believe that’s the same experience for the other guys who are walking and doing really well now.
