Slacklining at Pacific: A new way to embrace the sunshine

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To many Pacific students, sun and slack are synonymous.

When the sun is out there are sure to be anywhere from two to 20 people balancing and tricking on the polyester webbing strung across the trees in front of Clark Hall.

Slacklining is a practice of balancing on nylon or polyester webbing strung between two anchor points. Rather than being like a tightrope, it stretches and bounces like a narrow trampoline.

The craze caught on after sophomore Theodore Wogan bought a slackline two years ago. Since then slacking has become a part of Pacific’s culture and an embodiment of a way of life for the “slackers.”

“Slacklining is like music in the way it’s a great way to congregate people,” said sophomore Stacy Frisca.

For sophomore Michael Monahan, a huge reason why he said he is so addicted to slacking is because of the people. He said he remembers Easter Sunday, when everyone slacked all day and sat in a circle talking around a smart phone app fire till dark.

“People just don’t get together and connect on a deep level like that these days. The community aspect all of the slackers have is so unique here,” said Monahan.

Frisca said they encourage everyone to try. She said they are very approachable people and it’s a great community.

Monahan said he remembers countless times when he was out slacking by himself and within ten minutes he had a huge group of people slacking with him. These people later became good friends of his.

Junior Donte Holloway said he loves being out and slacking with everyone, even just to hang out, because it’s not encumbered by academia, deadlines, assignments or stress. He said it feels like a bunch of children outside playing.

Part of what keeps the slackers outside nearly six hours a day, given the weather, is the mental release slacklining gives them.

“I am a very stressed out person. What I really love about slacking is that it really clears your mind. It’s like meditating and exercising at the same time,” said Frisca.

Others agreed.

“When I’m slacking nothing goes through my head. It’s very primal and intuitive. I have never been so in touch with my body than I am when I’m up on the line,” said Holloway.

Sophomore Perrin Jones said what makes the slackline special is that people come to it as a refuge.

“Everyone is so carefree. We get to escape from studying and the regular stresses of being a college student. To me that is what Pacific is all about,” said Jones.

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