Thomas Buckingham, Author at International Slackline Association https://www.slacklineinternational.org/author/tombuck/ Mon, 16 Feb 2026 23:12:09 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.3 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/cropped-ms-icon-310x310-32x32.png Thomas Buckingham, Author at International Slackline Association https://www.slacklineinternational.org/author/tombuck/ 32 32 Highline World Championships – Wild Card Open https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2026/02/highline-world-championships-2026/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=highline-world-championships-2026 Mon, 16 Feb 2026 22:59:30 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9389 Wild Card for Highline World Championships - until 28. Feb. A World Championship is the most prestigious international tournament in every sport. After very successful two Editions in 2022/24 the spectacle is happening again from July 21th - 26th 2026, in Laax Switzerland. The purpose of the event is to gather the [...]

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Wild Card for Highline World Championships – until 28. Feb.

A World Championship is the most prestigious international tournament in every sport. After very successful two Editions in 2022/24 the spectacle is happening again from July 21th – 26th 2026, in Laax Switzerland. The purpose of the event is to gather the best highliners from around the world and crown the World Championship Winners (M/F). But we also want to promote our beloved activity to a wider audience and motivate young and upcoming slackline athletes and newcomers with a perspective in pursuing slackline as a high level sport. 

For the organization of such an event, a large number of criteria needs to be fulfilled and therefore the location, promotional contracts and organizer budget needs to be accordingly secured several months or even years before the event.

Ideally the World Championships event can travel to different continents and locations and is awarded to a destination or local organizer by the ISA Sport Commission. So far the only applications have come from Swiss Slackline with their destination partner Flims Laax in eastern Switzerland, who is well known for organising Snowboard World Cups. The ISA is open to award new locations if they can fulfill the criteria and come up with the necessary budget.

World Championships World Cups
  • Multi day event, usually includes multiple disciplines (e.g. Freestyle Trickline, Freestyle Highline or Speed Highline)
  • take place once every 1-4 years on different continents (ideally)
  • includes a minimum of 60% of the best athletes world wide from at least 3 different continents
  • Higher number of athletes needed onsite, higher prize money and more communication efforts than a world cup
  • Can be a one day event, usually includes only one discipline (e.g. Freestyle Trickline, Freestyle Highline or Speed Highline)
  • can take place multiple times per year on different continents
  • includes a minimum of 40% of the best athletes world wide

Highlights from 2024

How does somebody qualify for the World Championships?

The basis for athlete qualification is the Slackline World Ranking List, managed by the ISA Sports Commission. This online database considers all competitions which took place in the past years.

Due to the rapid development of the sport and because not all athletes have access to competitions, the ISA Sport Commission regulates that wildcard slots need to be handed out to individual athletes.

Media Reach from 2022/2024

Organiser of the World Championships

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]]> Warning: Electrostatic Damage in Highlines https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/12/electrostatics-in-highlines/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=electrostatics-in-highlines Mon, 22 Dec 2025 11:43:49 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9347 Warning: Electrostatic Discharge Damage in Highline Systems Reports of electrostatic discharges have been reported from all around the world, resulting in damage and full highline system failures. The new report summarizes incidents and their communalities and makes recommendations for highliners in preventing such incidents. Key Takeaways: The damage from electrostatic discharges [...]

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Warning: Electrostatic Discharge Damage in Highline Systems

Reports of electrostatic discharges have been reported from all around the world, resulting in damage and full highline system failures. The new report summarizes incidents and their communalities and makes recommendations for highliners in preventing such incidents.

Key Takeaways:

  • The damage from electrostatic discharges in highlines could easily lead to deadly accidents, which fortunately have not happened until today, let’s keep it this way.
  • The highlines analysed did not get damaged or fail due to lightning, but due to electric discharges (plasma lightning-arcs), happening in almost all cases underneath tapes and possibly more rarely in dry areas (likely due to backups heavily wrapping around mainlines).
  • The process of which we assume the highlines fail, is due to electric potential buildup between wet segments of highlines. This happens because a short segment under the tape stays dry and does not allow for conductivity.
  • All highline lengths can be affected, the longer the line and the more exposed and alpine the line is, the more likely the scenario. 
  • In most cases a storm was announced and nearby (a couple kilometers away), and electricity was felt “in the air”
  • The highlines failed shortly after it started to rain, even though the actual storm in some cases was still far away
Read the full Report

Recommendations and Solutions 

  • Have a good storm forecast system in place, get regular updates
  • Don’t rig during the known storm season in your part of the world
  • Derig the highline if any storm comes near your highline, don’t risk partial damage under the tapes which you can’t see
  • We always recommend to derig and check properly if you are unsure.
  • Detape lines and inspect on a regular basis, so burn marks can be found.
  • We need to find alternative solutions to our current taping and technical solutions in our highlines (e.g. conducting elements along the line). For details and some ideas and recommendations check the discussion below

BECOME AN ISA PATREON

DONATE VIA PAYPAL

Join the Discussion

ISA Github

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]]> Livestream – Freestyle Highline World Cup GGBY (25.-26.11) https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/11/livestream-freestyle-highline-world-cup-ggby/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=livestream-freestyle-highline-world-cup-ggby Tue, 18 Nov 2025 16:15:59 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9327 Livestreams – Freestyle Highline World Cup GGBY Tuesday (25.11.2025), UTC-7 Quarterfinals 9:00am - 10:30am: Women’s Quarterfinals 10:30am - 12:00pm: Men’s Quarterfinals Semifinals 3:00pm - 4:00pm: Men’s Semifinals 4:00pm - 5:00pm: Women’s Semifinals Wednesday (26.11.2025) Small Finals 2:30pm - 3:00pm: Women’s Small Finals 3:00pm - 3:30pm: Men’s Small Finals Finals 4:00pm - 4:30pm: [...]

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Livestreams – Freestyle Highline World Cup GGBY

Tuesday (25.11.2025), UTC-7

Quarterfinals

9:00am – 10:30am: Women’s Quarterfinals

10:30am – 12:00pm: Men’s Quarterfinals

Semifinals

3:00pm – 4:00pm: Men’s Semifinals

4:00pm – 5:00pm: Women’s Semifinals

Wednesday (26.11.2025)

Small Finals

2:30pm – 3:00pm: Women’s Small Finals

3:00pm – 3:30pm: Men’s Small Finals

Finals

4:00pm – 4:30pm: Women’s Finals

4:30pm – 5:00pm: Men’s Finals

Teaser

Quarter Finals

Semi Finals

Finals

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]]> Call to Contest Organizers: Join the Meeting 1st Nov 2025 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/10/call-to-contest-organizers-join-the-meeting-1st-nov-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=call-to-contest-organizers-join-the-meeting-1st-nov-2025 Tue, 21 Oct 2025 08:58:57 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9309 Join the upcoming meeting for Contest organizers: When: Nov 1st at 14:00 (UTC+2) Where: Google Meets, link below This meeting will Introduce the new World Cup Series in planing Present the status of the new Sport Hub website replacing the Ranking List website Explain and discuss the new competition grading system, address common challenges, [...]

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Join the upcoming meeting for Contest organizers:

When: Nov 1st at 14:00 (UTC+2)
Where: Google Meets, link below

This meeting will

  • Introduce the new World Cup Series in planing
  • Present the status of the new Sport Hub website replacing the Ranking List website
  • Explain and discuss the new competition grading system,
  • address common challenges,
  • offer guidance to organizers on fulfilling the requirements for ISA recognition.

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]]> The Full Combo Paradox https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/10/fullcombo/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=fullcombo Fri, 10 Oct 2025 08:45:57 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9299 A Great Championship Comes with Great Responsibility: The Full Combo Paradox On September 14th, one of the most exciting and high-level trickline championships of the year took place in Obuse, Japan. The Full Combo Championship brought together many of the world’s best trickline athletes, showcasing cutting-edge maneuvers and an impressive competitive setup. The event [...]

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A Great Championship Comes with Great Responsibility: The Full Combo Paradox

On September 14th, one of the most exciting and high-level trickline championships of the year took place in Obuse, Japan. The Full Combo Championship brought together many of the world’s best trickline athletes, showcasing cutting-edge maneuvers and an impressive competitive setup.

The event featured a high-tension trickline with safety air mats, professional judging systems, complete video recording and live streaming, as well as significant prize money for the winners. Local media coverage contributed to the visibility of what was clearly designed to be a world-class professional trickline competition — a model World Cup by all apparent standards.

However, despite the excellent organization and overall quality, two critical elements were missing — creating what could be called the Full Combo paradox.

  • First, the athlete seeding process lacked transparency and was handled directly by the event organizer. This effectively made the event an invitational competition, which does not meet the ISA World Cup seeding criteria.
  • Second, the issue of gender representation stood out. Among 16 professional athletes, 15 were men and only one woman competed — Miss Kanon Ito, a young Japanese athlete present. From an international standpoint, this imbalance created a challenge for global recognition. According to the International Slackline Association (ISA) rules, for any event to be recognized as a World Cup, there must be at least two gender categories to ensure fairness and equality.

As these requirements were not met, the ISA Sport Commission — after reviewing the case — decided to recognize Full Combo as an international “Master” level competition rather than a World Cup event, meaning the Athletes can not receive the full World Cup ranking points.

The ISA acknowledges and deeply appreciates the tremendous effort, resources, and dedication invested by the organizers to deliver such a high-quality event. We sincerely hope that future competitions will continue to uphold this level of professionalism while also incorporating the principles of transparency and inclusivity — strengthening the synergy with the global evolution of slackline sports.

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]]> The ISA turns 10 years old https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/09/isa_10_years/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=isa_10_years Sun, 21 Sep 2025 14:44:08 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9148 The ISA turns 10 years old! Time to reflect on the state of slacklining around the world. Officially founded by 4 national federations (Switzerland, Austria, Germany and USA) in 2015 as a grassroots effort to coordinate internationally, the creation of the ISA started with individual initiatives years before. After 10 years of existence we [...]

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The ISA turns 10 years old! Time to reflect on the state of slacklining around the world.

Officially founded by 4 national federations (Switzerland, Austria, Germany and USA) in 2015 as a grassroots effort to coordinate internationally, the creation of the ISA started with individual initiatives years before. After 10 years of existence we now combine 15 national federations, 9 associations, 109 observer members and 21 partners. This sums up to about 5000 individual slackliners in all these organizations.

While many of these organizations are doing well, a lot of them struggle with allocating volunteers and resources to administration, bureaucracy and financing. As of today, the ISA officials are all unpaid volunteers and there are not sufficient funds to employ anyone for some time to come.

Further, the commercial side of slacklining is struggling. Manufacturers are selling less gear, and several have even stopped their businesses. This is a tragic loss for slacklining. The global slackline trend appears to have peaked and we now seem to be in a critical consolidation phase. While most people still perceive a growth, people who have been in the game longer signal warnings.

What have you done lately to keep our beloved activity and sport thriving?

Here are some things you can do:
  • Organise a local community and all year training
  • invite kids and youth to regular classes
  • organise events and workshops
  • Collect membership fees and spend the funds wisely back into the community, gear or events.
Let us know what you think! #slacklife

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]]> The ISA turns 10 years old! https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/06/the-isa-turns-10-years-old/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-isa-turns-10-years-old Mon, 16 Jun 2025 14:31:59 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9203 LIVESTREAM - The third Highline World Cup of 2025 Follow the athletes, organised by our member Chooselife. The epicenter of the 2025 World Highline From June 18 to 22, more than 40 athletes from around the world gathered in Brazil for the Highline ChooseLife World Cup, a competition that captivated both athletes and [...]

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LIVESTREAM – The third Highline World Cup of 2025

Follow the athletes, organised by our member Chooselife.

The epicenter of the 2025 World Highline

From June 18 to 22, more than 40 athletes from around the world gathered in Brazil for the Highline ChooseLife World Cup, a competition that captivated both athletes and the local public.

The impressive landscape of Chapada dos Veadeiros was the perfect setting for the Highline ChooseLife World Cup 2025. With the participation of more than 40 athletes from Argentina, Ecuador, Colombia, Chile, Brazil, Mexico, Uruguay, United States, France and Germany, the event consolidated the region as one of the key destinations for slacklining in Latin America and the world.


In the words of one of the organizers, Matheus Wayne: “Choose Life” is a name that came with a mission we didn’t understand at first. But today it’s clearer to us, which is to provide access to our friends from all over the Americas, as a project that allows people to keep alive the dream of developing and growing in sports at a global level.
We are very grateful to the ISA for the unconditional support they have given us throughout this process, and for the opportunity to be a tool to take athletes who have dedicated themselves for many years and who want the opportunity to showcase their skills to the next level.”

Competition Modalities: Freestyle and Speedline

During four days of intense action, competitors competed in two high-level events:

Highline Freestyle and Speedline, each with male and female categories. The freestyle, which tests athletes’ ability to perform high-altitude acrobatics on the Ribbon, offered some of the most spectacular displays of the event. Meanwhile, speedline challenged the speed and endurance of the participants by completing the course in the shortest possible time on an innovative 17mm (dyneema + polyester) tape, 110 meters long and 120 meters high.

Freestyle Highline Male

Bellow the Winners of the 2025 Highline World Championship in Brazil

Highline Freestyle Male

🥇 Davis Hermes (United States)
🥈 Ian Eisenberg (United States)
🥉 Gonzalo Caturelli (Argentina)

Freestyle Highline Female

Highline Freestyle Female

🥇 Cecilia Stock (Alemania)
🥈 Amanda Montminy (United States)
🥉 Monique Paredes (Brazil)

Speed Highline Female

Speedline Femenino

🥇 Cecilia Stock (Alemania)
🥈 Flor Muñoz (Argentina)
🥉 Júlia Bonnet (French)

Speed Highline Male

Speedline Masculino

🥇 Gustavo Coutinho (Brazil)
🥈 Gonzalo Caturelli (Argentina)
🥉 Tlaloc Moctezuma (Mexico)

For many of the participants, this event represented a dream come true. 

Cecilia Stock, winner in both categories, shared her experience: 

“It was an incredible experience. It’s very inspiring to see women from around the world come together and participate, showing that women can achieve it.”

Davis Hermes also shared his experience:

“Its a privilege to be able to come and compete, to the first world cup in south America, I’m happy to be here and thankful for the opportunity.”

A Festival for Everyone

The Highline World Championship was not only a high-level sporting competition, but also transformed into a true festival open to the public. During the days of the event, attendees were able to enjoy live music, slackline workshops, and talks on adventure sports. Cultural exhibitions also enriched the visitor experience, creating an inclusive and festive atmosphere that brought athletes and the public together.

The event not only celebrated the process of the athletes, but also served to bring the highline to the local community. With more than 500 people attending the competition, Chapada dos Veadeiros received international recognition, consolidating its position as a key destination for adventure tourism and the Highline.

Ian Eisenber declares: “If you dream of the perfect freestyle Highline paradise, this would be it”.

International Collaboration and Institutional Support

The event received support from the International Slackline Association (ISA), which through its representatives of the commissions Sports and of Access and Nature: Juliet Tellez, Hugo Flores and Isidro Rocua, provided their organizational and technical support, guaranteeing the safety and success of the competition. Also the incorporation of the results in the International Slackline Ranking List.

In the words of Isidro ISA member, “This event has been a great example of the evolution of highlining, highlighting the hard work of athletes, both men and women, to overcome the barriers of the sport.”

Innovation in jury systems.

For the first time in a highline freestyle world championship, the innovative JAM format is implemented, where athletes must perform two tricks and a high-level combo over 9 or more attempts. This format allowed the athletes to develop new strategies and achieve gigantic level sporting results. It was implemented with a panel of 4 expert judges: Filipe Mattos, Isidro Rocua, Cecilia Stock (for men) and Gonzalo Caturelli (for women) and the international support of Augustin Moinat for the structure of the sheets.

Connecting the World Championship Circuit

A big surprise was provided by the organizers of the World Highline Competition in Zhangjiajie, China, who awarded two classifications for the top two places in the speedline category, one for men and one for women. This gesture encourages global partnership among organizers of slackline championships.

Commitment to the Environment

Sustainability was a priority for the organizers, who implemented strategies to minimize the event’s environmental impact. They promoted the use of recyclable materials, designated waste separation areas, and worked closely with local authorities to ensure the Chapada dos Veadeiros natural environment was fully respected.

The event also highlighted the importance of preserving this natural heritage. The beauty of the region, with its imposing rock formations and biodiversity, was an integral part of the experience for attendees and competitors, turning the championship into a tribute to nature.

This championship not only marked a milestone in the history of highlining, but also left a profound mark on the local community, the athletes, and all those fortunate enough to witness the competition. 

Cavalcante in Chapada dos Veadeiros has proven to be much more than a place for sport: it is a true meeting center for culture and adventure, which will continue to attract more people in the years to come.

– ISA, Communications team

Pictures of: Tawana Yung 

Qualification Results:

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]]> Livestream – Speed Highline World Cup Paris! https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/06/livestream-speed-highline-world-cup-paris/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=livestream-speed-highline-world-cup-paris Sat, 14 Jun 2025 12:30:42 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9136 LIVESTREAM - The second Speed Highline World Cup of 2025 Follow the athletes, organised by our member Parislack. Parislack Website Speed Highline World Cups 2025

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LIVESTREAM – The second Speed Highline World Cup of 2025

Follow the athletes, organised by our member Parislack.

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]]> Livestream – Speed Highline World Cup Belgium! https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/04/livestream-speed-highline-world-cup/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=livestream-speed-highline-world-cup Wed, 23 Apr 2025 21:00:04 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9066 LIVESTREAM - The first Speed Highline World Cup of 2025 Follow the athletes on Sunday in the finals, organised by our member BeSlack. QUARTER FINALS : 8:00 - 13:00 FINALS: 13:00 - 18:00 BESLACK Website Speed Highline World Cups 2025 [...]

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LIVESTREAM – The first Speed Highline World Cup of 2025

Follow the athletes on Sunday in the finals, organised by our member BeSlack.

QUARTER FINALS : 8:00 – 13:00

FINALS: 13:00 – 18:00

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]]> NEW World Firsts – Tricks Database online https://www.slacklineinternational.org/2025/04/new-world-firsts-tricks-database-online/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=new-world-firsts-tricks-database-online Tue, 15 Apr 2025 10:24:09 +0000 https://www.slacklineinternational.org/?p=9053 NEW World Firsts - Tricks database online We are collecting selected world firsts tricks in freestyle trickline, freestyle highline and rodeolining and hand out certificates. Click - World Firsts overview

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NEW World Firsts – Tricks database online

We are collecting selected world firsts tricks in freestyle trickline, freestyle highline and rodeolining and hand out certificates.

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