First slacklining club in BiH: Almir and Azra walk on the line as if on the street

Almir Kozić and Azra Begović use every sunny afternoon to practice slacklining, writes the BiH news agency Patria.

It is about walking on a thin strap (line), which is stretched between two trees. This sport discipline was allegedly developed in the early 80s of the last century, when two climbers in California's Yosemite Valley started having fun walking on fences around parking lots. Their passion soon grew beyond borders and met with enthusiasm from climbers around the world, who practiced their balance in this way.

Today, millions of young people worldwide practice this sport discipline, and thanks to Almir and Azra, and a few of their friends, it has been available in Sarajevo since last year.

- Almir is currently the best at slacklining. He started with this two years ago, and I started something later - explains Azra.

This interesting sport discipline requires a lot of physical effort but also mental concentration, so the effects from it, say these young people, are extraordinary for both the mind and the body.

- When you walk on the line, every muscle in your body is engaged. But you also have to engage your brain to the maximum, you have to react quickly so as not to fall - says Almir for Patria.

Almir and his friends currently use trees in Sarajevo parks to practice slacklining, but in many European cities, authorities are creating dedicated anchor points for these athletes.

Slacklining is a very interesting sport. It's not just walking on a strap, say these young people. There are many disciplines, such as walking on a strap over rivers, lakes, or seas, which athletes call waterlining, or longline, in which one walks over approximately 40-100 meters or even more on a stretched strap.

The highline discipline is certainly the most extreme of all. It involves slacklining at a great height above water or land. The strap is often additionally thickened, and most highliners use a climbing harness that is attached to the strap itself.

- For starters, only a good will is enough. No special equipment is needed. If you see us practicing in the park, feel free to stop by - says Almir, writes Patria.