10 Famous Names In Slacklining (Influencers)

Slacklining has been around since the early 1980s and has grown since then in terms of the number of participants and visibility. Over time, a number of individuals have helped to grow the sport in terms of the visibility, equipment used and the actual tricks and techniques.

But for the average person and slackline newcomer, there aren’t necessarily household names in the sport that regular people would immediately recognize.

There are however a number of big names in the sport that have helped to create it, shape it and build a following around the world that assisted to turn slacklining into a popular activity enjoyed by people globally.

Here are 10 famous names in slacklining, influencers if you will, who deserve credit for helping to define and grow the sport globally.

Adam Grosowsky, USA

While the concept of balancing on chains in parking lots dates back to the 1960s, Adam and Jeff Ellington are widely regarded to have started the slacklining phenomenon when they set up webbing between two trees and began slacklining. In fact, Grosowsky has stated that he first saw Ron Kauk walking a slack chain while visiting Yosemite and was inspired to try it himself, albeit using nylon webbing due to the absence of a chain. As their attempts grew in length and challenge, the sport grew from there as others took notice.

Andy Lewis, USA

Andy began slacklining in 2004 and is associated with slackline equipment manufacturer GIBBON. Considered a pioneer in modern tricklining, Andy has achieved numerous top finishes at GIBBON slacklining events and might be best known for a Super Bowl 2012 half time show appearance as part of Madonna’s performance.

Peter Auer, Austria

Peter is a professional slackliner who was the first person to slackline a wind turbine, at Donauinsel (Danube Island) in Austria. The 50 m slackline was set up between actual wind turbines which had never been done before.

Scott Balcom and Chris Carpenter, USA

Scott and Chris are believed to have completed the first known highline using nylon webbing, traversing the arches under a bridge in Pasadena, California in 1983.

Darrin Carter, USA

Darrin was a pioneer in slacklining and highlining. He was the first slackline free soloist and the second person ever to cross the Lost Arrow Spire. Darrin sadly passed away in a car accident in 2018.

Damian Jörren, Germany

Damian is the co-founder of German slackline equipment manufacturer Landcruising Slacklines. In 2010, he and business partner Stefan Junghannß set a world record with a slackline measuring 306.8 m (1007′) in length.

Libby Sauter, USA

Libby is a slackliner and rock climber perhaps best known for being the first woman to cross the Lost Arrow Spire Highline in Yosemite Valley, California. She has set records over the years for both speed finishes in climbing and firsts in slacklining for women. Her accomplishments and influence saw her chosen by adidas Outdoor to be a brand ambassador for the company.

Dean Potter, USA

Dean was a slackliner, highliner, free climber, BASE jumper and all around adventure enthusiast. While he accomplished numerous feats in a wide variety of disciplines, he is well-known for his highlining exploits and is widely credited with the invention of freebasing which combines free solo climbing and BASE jumping without use of ropes. Sadly he and friend Graham Hunt were killed in 2015 during a failed BASE jump.

Faith Dickey, USA

Perhaps the most famous female slackliner, Faith set the female world record for the longest free solo slackline walk and has set other records on highlines and longlines too. One of the interesting things about her accomplishments is her ability to set records at the same pace as men, showing newcomers to the sport how success is based less on your sex or strength and more on your ability to balance (literally) and your focus.

Jerry Miszewski, USA

Jerry began slacklining in 2007 and two years later, founded slackline retailer Balance Community. Known as Slackin-Jer, he is well-known as a slackliner, highliner and longliner. He was the first known person to slackline 400′ (120 m) and continues to push the envelope as both a slackliner and online industry retailer.

Want to learn more about slacklining? Check out my article called Slackline Webbing Options To Choose From.