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Adrenaline Junkie Loves Doing Flips On Slackline

Adrenaline Junkie Loves Doing Flips On Slackline

Elias believes he has done the most spins on a slackline in the world

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

Some of us can't even do a roly-poly, let alone a flip... which means a flip on a slackline suspended a zillion feet (or thereabouts) above ground is also probably out of the question.

Not for Elias Claude Ellis, 22, from Colorado, US, who simply isn't fazed by this sort of thing. In fact, the adrenaline junkie has been at it for years now, having performed daredevil stunts since 2010.

Having stunned his pals when he performed three flips and a 1080-degree rotation in one oscillation, Elias also believes he has done the most spins on a slackline in the world.

Professional highliner Elias said: "Highlining is a discipline of slacklining, where the system is redundant and the participant leashes into the line.

"In one oscillation, I have done three flips, or 1080-degree rotation.

"I believe this is tied with the most in the world.

"But in a combo, I have done over four flips or spins.

Elias Claude Ellis.
Caters/Elias Claude Ellis

"I've never tried to see how many I could get into a combo, but I would guess a lot if I really tried.

"Single, hard tricks are the most interesting to me.

"I wear a climbing harness connected to the line by a sleeved rope connected to two aluminium leash rings, not carabiners. I fall all the time."

Elias said his parents, who were also climbers in college, gifted him his first highline leash - and ever since he's been travelling the world showing off his mind-blowing adventure stunts.

He continued: "I started slacklining in 2010, and highlining in 2015 after I saw a picture of Dean Potter walking the Lost Arrow spire highline in Yosemite.

Elias is just 22.
Caters/Elias Claude Ellis

"It was the most awe inspiring thing I had seen. I wanted nothing more then to do that, so I started making it happen.

"I started doing tricks on the highline sometime in 2016.

"When I first started highlining I would watch Samuel Volery, and he was pioneering tricks on the highline. I thought this was the most radical expression of the sport.

"I saw it as total mastery of slacklining, and it was then my end goal to be able to perform these wild tricks and stunts.

"My drive has been to do tricks and combos that have never been done.

"It takes a lot of creativity and time with the line."

Rather you than me...
Caters/Elias Claude Ellis

Many of us will know that if we tried to pursue such a hobby, our mums and dads would shut it down faster than you can say 'twisted ankle' - but Elias says he has his family's full support.

"My parents love it," he said.

"They both were climbers in college, and artists and musicians now, so they are very supportive. They even got me my first highline leash.

"At this point most of my friends are highliners, and I even met my girlfriend thought the sport."

I can't say I'm not impressed by the guts this guy has... But for now I reckon I'll just stay put here on the ground, thanks.

Featured Image Credit: Caters/Elias Claude Ellis

Topics: News, US News