Slacklining with DSA
So why did we start DSA in the first place?
Back in 2021 a group of friends based in Copenhagen got together to form the first association for slackline in Denmark. Before then slackline had been practised, but there was never any organiastin supporting it.
This is what we wanted to change…
So we started the DSA with a core idea to make it more accessible and to enable people to practice slacklining in a healthy social environment. Guiding our work are three main pillars.
Awareness
We want to increase the awareness amongst the public towards slacklining in Denmark with Copenhagen as the initial starting point. We do this by doing events for the public, visit schools and collaborate with other sports organisations and the municipal in Copenhagen.
Facilities
We want to ensure athletes at all levels have the best training and meetup facilities. We do this by having communal weekly meetings, access to awesome indoor highline spots and indoor places to train during the winter.
Accessibility
We want to make it easier for practitioners no matter the level, to experience the many benefits and sides of slacklining by making it more accessible. We do this by offering open trainings for beginners and rigging starter lines when we meet in the park.
PARTNERSHIPS
Even though we are still quite young, DSA is lucky to collaborate with a number of awesome partners
Nordea Fonden has given DSA financiel support to grow our community. Thanks do them we are able to do open weekly trainings for the general public, as well as realise some of our grand projects. Special thanks to the crew there – we couldn’t do it without you.
There is nothing better than to be best friends with the municipality. This we learned after Sharing Copenhagen chose to support us back in 2022 with our pilot project. Since then we have worked intensely together to create the first urban highline in Copenhagen – come check it out on the 4th of May 2023. Special thanks to Jacob Hartman – what a trooper!
DAC and BLOX have massively helped DSA turn a crazy idea into a concrete reality. On the 4th of May we take off from their terrasse and walk across the harbour to the other side. What better way to kickstart Copenhagen in Common! Special thanks to Kristina Neel and Thomas Nielsen for always meeting our wild ideas with a smile.
Highlining in Denmark is though since we dont have any mountains. But thanks to URC we have one of the most amazing indoor highline spots in all of Scandinavia. We have 4 lines up ranging from 30 to 50 meters. This gives us an unique opportunity to train all year around which does wonders for our community. Special thanks to Flemming and the rangers there.
We are always looking for new partners. Maybe you are a school that wants fun and different alternative activities for your students? Or you are a corporate brand looking to spice things up while also supporting local grassroot initaitves? We would love to play together, so dont hestitate with getting in touch with us.
OUR APPROACH TO SUSTAINABILITY
Leave no trace
Our community respects the environment. We are committed to leaving no physical trace of our activities wherever we gather. We clean up after ourselves and endeavor, whenever possible, to leave such places in a better state than when we found them.
Protecting nature
Our commitment to protecting nature is at the heart of our approach to slacklining. From making sure the trees we use are healthy and strong, using existing climbings bolt instead of drilling new ones, to not disturbing the wildlife, we always strive to preserve our planet for future generations.
Sharing gear
As much as possible we try to share the gear we have because it allows us to reduce our overall consumption and waste. By sharing lines and equipment with others in the community, we can reduce the need for new purchases, and minimize our impact on the environment.
OUR APPROACH TO SAFETY
Safety
When rigging our lines we always look to the guidelines from the International Slackline Association (ISA). The ISA takes safety very seriously when it comes to slacklining and highlining. The ISA have established comprehensive guidelines and standards to ensure that all slackliners and highliners have a safe experience. These guidelines cover topics such as anchor systems, equipment requirements, and recommended safety protocols. As a minimum our gear is rated for climbing, and when possible we try and use gear that is ISA approved.
All our lines comes from certified and trusted vendors. Before using any kind of equipment, both lines, shackles or weblocks, we always do a safety evaluation, to check their condition. We try and keep track of how much the gear is used and make sure to replace them in good time.
As soon as we are dealing with longer lines and any highlines, personal safety is something we take extremely serious. We always do buddy checks when someone is preparing to go on a highline and a team is standing by to do a safety rescue in emergency cases. When waterlining we always have strong swimmers on stand-by.
We always do rigorous calculations on the strength and stability of our anchors. Whether it is old buildings, trees or rock, we always make sure to protect the anchor and leave it just as we found it.