Competitive Highlining
Officially International Slackline Association (ISA) Highlining Championship
Highline walking is slacklining at elevation (canyons, rooftops, mountaintops); competitive scene organized by ISA (International Slackline Association) with distance + trick + speed disciplines; notable athletes include Alexander Schulz (400+ m records) + Faith Dickey + Louis Boniface.
What is Competitive Highlining?
Competitive highlining is the elite discipline of slacklining performed at significant elevation (highlines are typically defined as slacklines ≥15 m off the ground, over canyons, between rooftops, or across mountain gaps). Governed by the International Slackline Association (ISA, founded 2012). Disciplines: (1) longest walked highline (distance record), (2) trickline discipline (aerial acrobatics + spinning moves), (3) speed walking (fastest crossing), (4) mono-lines (single strap). Modern highlines routinely span 100-500+ m; current world record ~2,800+ m (Andes, 2023). Uses 2.5 cm / 5 cm webbing under high tension (2-5 kN). Athletes wear leash + harness; falls result in swinging catch. Signature events: ISA World Championships (biennial), Highline Meetings (Petzen Slackline Festival, Sunwapta Highline Festival). Notable athletes: Alexander Schulz (GER, multiple distance records, 400+ m highlines), Faith Dickey (USA, women's champion + first woman to cross 100+ m), Louis Boniface (FRA, trickline champion), Théo Sanson (FRA, expedition slacklines), Andy Lewis (USA, super bowl halftime slacklining 2012).
Quick facts
Category
Adventure & Extreme Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~15 min
Where played
outdoor
Country of origin
🇺🇸 United States
Estimated origin
Yosemite climbers ~1979; ISA founded 2012
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Complete crossing of specified highline in speed / distance / trickline discipline.
Match structure
Event-specific: distance (longest walked), speed (fastest crossing), trickline (judged tricks).
Rules
Basic rules
Leash attached at all times
Falls result in swinging catch; leash must be attached.
Full crossing (foot-to-foot)
Distance measured foot-to-foot; must start + finish stood on line.
No hand assistance from anchors mid-line
Once on line, no assistance until anchor reached.
Scoring
Distance / speed / trick difficulty depending on discipline.
Win condition · Longest walk, fastest crossing, or highest trickline judge score.
Equipment
Highline webbing (2.5-5 cm)
High-tension polyester/nylon webbing.
Anchors + backup rigging
Redundant anchors + backup lines mandatory.
Safety leash + harness
Rescue leash tethers walker to line.
Tensioning system (pulleys)
Multi-line tensioning to 2-5 kN tension.
Positions & roles
Highliner
×1Sole competitor.
Major competitions
ISA World Championships
biennial · rotating global · since 2015
Petzen Slackline Festival
annual · Austria/Slovenia · since 2010
Where it is played
Governing bodies
International Slackline Association (ISA)
Founded 2012 · Zürich, Switzerland
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Alexander Schulz (GER — distance records 400+ m)
- Faith Dickey (USA — women's pioneer)
- Louis Boniface (FRA — trickline)
- Théo Sanson (FRA)
- Andy Lewis (USA — 2012 Super Bowl slackline)
Records
Alexander Schulz 2,800+ m Andes highline 2023
Alexander Schulz (GER) — 2,800+ m longest highline walked (Andes, 2023) — current world record (2023)
Faith Dickey first woman 100+ m highline
Faith Dickey (USA) — First woman to walk 100+ m highline; multiple women's records (2013)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Highlining— Wikipedia