Written by: Ayat Elgezery and Norhan Zaher
She’s the female world record holder, the woman who survived a car accident to rediscover herself, her physical and mental limits and, in the process, break records.
Faith Dickey, a 26 year old down to earth Texan, might be a badass but not without fears. The beautiful inside-out she-daredevil who slacklines 800+ meters above sea level with effortless grace, whether barefoot or with high heels, admits that heights do indeed get to her sometimes. ”The height definitely scares me sometimes,” says the professional slackliner. ”If I’m exposed to height often, I can get used to it but after a month break I’m scared all over again. It’s very disorienting to be so high up on a thin line”.
Extreme sports is a field that’s been dominated by men more often than not, but here’s an interview with the girl who took the slacklining world by storm and made nothing stop her.
What is slacklining?
Slacklining is a balance sport that entails walking on a flat, woven band stretched between two points. Highlining is slacklining up high; Longlining is slacklining low to the ground at long distances.
Is it hard to learn?
The beginning of slacklining feels impossible, however it is fairly quick to learn to take some steps, and the wonderful thing is that you never stop progressing. As long as you keep practicing, you will always improve.
Tell us about your first highlight.
The first highlight for me was finding an activity that was so independent. I was the only person who could get me across the line. I was my biggest competitor. Finding a sport like this was so refreshing coming from a country that focuses on team sports.
What inspired you to be a slackliner?
I saw it in a park, tried it and fell in love. It was really a series of life events that inspired me to do it full time and as a profession. Walking a highline for the first time opened a world to me I’d never known before; being outside, in nature, pushing my physical and mental limits.
What gear do you use for slacklining?
I prefer walking barefoot, and I wear active clothing. Once a year I try to walk a highline in high heels, just for fun.
In your opinion what are the benefits of slacklining?
The mental benefits include helping with focus, managing fear, building confidence, and deciphering ego. The physical benefits are special awareness, strength in legs, arms and posture, and balance of course!
What kind of challenges do you face?
Walking a highline provides a lot of mental challenges, like learning to manage fear and stay calm when there is a lot of adrenaline in my body. It has taught me a lot about the relationship between death and the human mind. We are so afraid of that which we don’t know, and being on a highline is almost tricking the mind into thinking death is imminent, and that allows for some great practice at being calm and staying in the moment. The hardest thing about highlining is doing just that—staying in the moment, to let go of expectation and just focus on each step as it happens.
Have you ever been injured while walking the line?
I broke my wrist falling off of a slackline low to the ground, and I injured my knee doing a trick on a slackline low to the ground. Highlining actually seems to be the safest form of the sport!
What’s your biggest fear?
Sharks, death, losing loved ones, and wasting life.
How high were your heels while slacklining? Were you afraid?
They were standard stilettos. I wasn’t afraid but it was extremely hard to walk the line because the heels were too small and didn’t allow for much mobility in my feet. I have to find the perfect heels for the next attempt!
Do you usually wear high heels or did you practice before slacklining with heels on?
I’ve never practiced on a slackline. I have only worn heels on highlines. Most of the time I walk barefoot; it’s just once a year that I walk with heels for fun, and to poke fun at the stereotypes of what makes a woman beautiful by doing something absolutely extreme in heels!
What’s your workout routine?
I don’t work out; I just try to slackline as much as I can. I also hike, rock climb, and sometimes I do yoga.
Do you often listen to music while slacklining? What kind of music do you like best?
I like electronic music to highline to, such as Wax Tailor, Beats Antique, and Chinese Man.
What advice can you give for women who’d like to get into slacklining?
Do it! The only thing that ever stops you is your mind. I often tell new slackliners to keep taking steps on the line no matter how shaky they are, because fear does not equal failure.
Usually it’s men who are into these kinds of daring activities and stunts so it’s very refreshing to find women as well and I know it couldn’t have been easy.
How does it feel being a woman who does slacklining? What sort of comments do you get? Does it affect your personal life?
There is no reason that women should participate in these activities less than men, but we face a lot of changing perspectives, as it seems more “normal” for men to do them. At times, I miss being around women in the sport, or being a minority all the time. That’s part of why I created the Girls Only Slackline Festival in Czech Republic—it’s a way to support women in highlining, show the world that we do these things too (and that it’s normal!) and connect women with each other. It was challenging at times to be the only woman, and for people to assume that I was somehow less capable than a man. I’ve had to use the line “I’m a woman, not handicapped,” many times. I carry my own backpacks, I can rig my own lines, and I can walk them. There’s absolutely nothing stopping other women from doing the same or better. The most annoying thing for me is when tourists who see my friends and I highlining ask me “YOU do this TOO?!” as if I’m only there to make sandwiches and watch. I think to myself “yes, and I’m better than half the men I’m with.” But, I always just reply yes, I do it too.”
Where will your next slackline adventure be?
Hopefully Tasmania!
Do you have a dream destination that you’d love to visit and, possibly, slackline there?
Madagascar is my absolute top destination, but it will take a lot of sponsorship to make it happen.
For more news about Faith and to keep up to date with her check her website www.thatslacklinegirl.com and instagram @thatslacklinegirl
Authors:
Ayat Elgezery is a freelance photographer and assistant director. Currently working at Enti ahla m3a Amina Shelbaya program. Former photojournalist at El Akhbar newspaper. Won the 2015 Egyptian universities’ photography award.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/elgezeryphotography
Facebook: facebook.com/elgezeryph
Norhan Zaher is a freelance writer and poet. She won Diwan’s poetry writing competition, among other online writing competitions.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/norhanzaher
Tumblr: Norhansblog.tumblr.com
