Growth, community spirit, and two new lines made this year’s highline festival a resounding success. With more than 70 people hanging out at the highlines on the long weekend at the end of March, it was the largest attendance of the event to date. We shared time making music, learning from workshops, and banded together to cook four potjies for the prize-giving evening.
A heart-felt thank you goes out to everyone who shared their energy, lent a hand, and helped make the event so memorable. We dive into the highlights of each day below.
Friday
Thanks to the dedication of the riggers, all seven highlines were ready for action on Friday morning following a warm welcome from Jeff and Leighton who kept the information light and comical. Laughter made the serious side of safety easier to consume. The main takeaway – look out for each other and get a buddy check before rolling out.
The event is the perfect time to learn something new. Those interested joined the first workshop which demonstrated techniques on how to highline using a line slightly above head height outside the lapa.
Andy Court, Katrien, and Felix hosted Acro Yoga workshops throughout the weekend which drew large crowds of eager folks ready to fly! The foam mats provided by Michael kept those choosing to be the ‘base’ on the ground feeling comfortable.
Rikus brought flow arts into the mix with a workshop which allowed many of the attendee’s talents to shine. A highlight being the nighttime pyro performances including fire poi and Halen handling the dragon staff.
Allowing some cooling and movement inwards, Joff hosted a beautiful Pranayama workshop. We followed his guidance to learn more about our breath and natural ability to calm our nervous system and find a reprieve from the heat. Letting loose and leading us into a meditative state.
Rocklands often provides some incredible views into the night sky. Astronomer Hannes Breytenbach led a stargazing workshop to deepen our appreciation for the area outside of our scope of earth.
With much excitement, the festival tied into the global slackline community with the screening of the ‘Tracing Lines’ Film premiere. An inspiring production featuring various disciplines from tricklining in Japan to hot air balloon highlines in Brazil. You can now watch it on Trickline Collective’s youtube channel.
Saturday
Elijah hosted QiGong and captured some incredible footage of the festival from the air.
Britt, who hosted Jungle Yoga, had the following reflections. “Rocklands highline festival was an utter feast. A feast for the senses and for the soul. The badassery on the highlines was matched only by the radically inclusive sense of community. Humans came together to share their unique skills and perspectives and to encourage, scream and support each other from the side lines in a way that lit up each and every one of us with fire for MORE. To push greater boundaries, to listen more deeply and to be immersed in nature as much as possible. All I look forward to is more of what this gathering has to offer.”
The wide birth of experiences included a crochet workshop hosted by Küra and a talk titled ‘compass of light’ led by Tyler.
In addition to ‘highline safety’ posters at the anchors, Leighton shared a ‘how to highline workshop’ to jump start the process of building confidence on a highline.
Theo shared insight into his experience. “I really enjoyed being able to contribute to the festival by facilitating the open mic session. The warmth of the community created a space which was encouraging, and made it feel safe to be vulnerable with one’s voice. I know at least two people walked up to the stage to share their music publicly for the first time. In addition, I was happy to see jam sessions happening organically between musicians. It was great seeing people bring diverse instruments to the stage and that some introduction to playing the instruments was being shared at a person-to-person level. I loved the concept behind the workshops, and in general it was so cool to see how people collectively bringing their best selves formed an awesome festival.
Getting on a highline and getting on a stage to play in front of people both require vulnerability and courage. In the beginning it is quite a leap of faith to move through one’s fear. As a musician, getting on a highline and just being fully present about my fear without any judgement, is valuable. Confronting fear, and allowing it to be, is how you flow through it. Highlining teaches you to take one scary baby step at a time.
I’m really excited to see where the highline fest will be going in years to come. The land and highline community out there is truly inspirational. I think the festival can become a little oasis for music. I hope to be part of that journey in years to come.”
We moved from strength to strength and were fortunate to have Livia Malkus lead us in a stretching workshop. The evening highline jam session resulted in each line having a queue of keen people while an audience of more than 70 people buzzed on the cliffside.
Towards the horizon a group of praying hands peered out from behind the rocks. These belonged to the group of Beck’s Sunset Yoga. The rhythm of the drum circle led by Jack Rutherford and crew began to resonate through the rock carrying us towards the boogie in the dust.
Sunday
Breathe in hosted a bouldering for beginners to provide the perfect opportunity for beginners and those new to the area to dip their toes into some climbing. A comfortable approach with a supportive group set the tone for many more climbs and achievements ahead.
The Rocklands Community Bazaar was a wholesome addition to the day offering coffee, cake, pancakes, potjie kos, and roostekoek. While Raquel from Feature coffee roastery in Stellenbosch served espresso-based coffee and helped lift the spirits of attendees from the early hours of the morning.
Rikus hosted another flow arts session. Jeff hosted a macrame workshop teaching techniques to wrap crystals and create bespoke necklaces. The crafts continued into a tie-dye workshop hosted by Sarah Whitehead while Andy, Katrien and Felix led another Acro yoga session.
Contributions of food flowed into a flurry of potjies monitored closely by Andy Bok and Britt. One beef, one lamb, one vegetable with spice and one without – served alongside dal and rice. The evening bubbled away into a beautiful closing ceremony with prizes for those who contributed to the community throughout the year and those who shone at the festival.
If you are interested in joining the upcoming events, follow the event’s Instagram page.
Recap written by Laurence Garrett. You can read more stories of slacklining in South Africa on Riding the Highline.
