The installation marked the first time a slackline has been rigged across the Santa Monica Pier, allowing athletes to carefully traverse from one side of the pier to the other high above the crashing waves. The exhibition drew steady crowds throughout the day as participants demonstrated remarkable balance, focus and control.
Leading the effort was Los Angeles-based slackliner Jim Galli, founder of Slackademic. Galli began slacklining in Santa Monica in 2016 after backgrounds in skateboarding, soccer, water polo and other sports. Within months, he advanced to highlining and went on to set and break records, pioneer new lines and develop new tricks while teaching the sport to others. He is an International Slackline Association (ISA) certified rigger, an IRATA Level 3 Rope Access Technician and SPRAT Level 2 certified.
According to Galli, Slackademic was created to share the physical and mental benefits of slacklining with others. He says the sport teaches patience, focus, determination and confidence while emphasizing the importance of breathing and remaining calm under pressure. Galli believes those same skills can help people navigate everyday challenges beyond the slackline itself.
The slackline demonstration was one of many attractions featured during the Santa Monica Pier 360 Beach Festival, a free, all-ages celebration of Southern California beach culture featuring ocean sports competitions, live entertainment, food, interactive activities and family-friendly programming.
The high-flying exhibition added a dramatic new element to this year's festival, giving visitors a rare opportunity to witness athletes balancing hundreds of feet across open water against the backdrop of one of Southern California's most recognizable landmarks.
Santa Monica Closeup remains committed to documenting the people, places and events that shape the Santa Monica community—one story at a time.
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