Tightrope Walking

Tightrope walking is a physical activity that involves balancing on and walking across a tensioned wire suspended above the ground. It is often performed as part of circus or other public stunt performances. For many performers who specialize in “highwire,” the primary goal is to successfully walk on this tightrope from one end to another while standing 6m or higher above the ground. Some highwire acts are known as “skywalks” because the participant walks a considerable distance while dozens of metres above the ground. Circus groups that train tightrope walkers usually introduce participants to balance poles, which are weighted at the ends to provide a lower centre of gravity for easier balance. Professional circus troupes often combine tightrope walking with dance or object manipulation tricks. These participants perform tricks using props such as bicycles or chairs to create a human pyramid above the tightrope.