Slacklining injury causes man to miss work at job he doesn't have
VANCOUVER, B.C.—Slacklining is an increasingly popular summer activity in which park enthusiasts walk along a strip of webbing affixed to two anchors, simultaneously managing to impress and annoy those around them.
This spacially intrusive activity lets a small group of friends absorb an area large enough for several picnic tables.
While similar to tightrope walking, the slackline is looser and much closer to the ground. The relative safety and low risk ensures most people will remain hobbyists, and those who do master the rope will still be boring to watch.
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Despite the activity's harmless appearance, these almost-gymnastics can still result in injury, thankfully.
Chadwick Brunson, 26, an avid slackliner who also makes his own candles (Yes, Chadwick's Wicks is what he calls it), recently sidelined himself from his empty schedule when he sustained an injury that would make kids on a swing set say "ouchie".
"It was like one minute I was on the line and everything was great," Brunson begins. "But then I moved, then the line moved, and then I was lying on the ground with Mother Nature herself. Usually I love that, but this time my ankle was all wonky."
The medical term for Brunson's wonky ankle is "broken". It's an injury that for most, would put their entire life on hold. Lucky for Brunson, his entire life seems to be on hold already.
"I mean, even with the injury I can still make my candles," Brunson explains.
He lights one of his homemade candles and we politely try not to choke on the very air we breathe.
"Other than that, everything is kind of the same. I'm sitting down a lot, but I did that anyway. I can't slackline for a while, but I don't know if I want to anymore. Too extreme of a lifestyle. Maybe I'll go back to Frisbee. This time I'll get some gloves, though. Those plastic discs can be tough on the hands."
Tragically, Brunson's slacklining career seems to have come to an end. Light a candle for him. Just not one of his.
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