How to Pre-Qualify for Self-Suspension
Click here for the Pre-Qual Skills Course.
One of the big problems that face rope educators at many conferences is when they want to offer an advanced (or even intermediate) class on some technique and they know that it requires a certain level of skill to learn the material.
At Ropecraft we’re going to try a solution that has been batted around by presenters and event organizers for a while. Like any first try, it may not work – but it’s worth a try. Scroll down after the class descriptions to see how to pre-certify!
Self-suspension chest & hip harnesses
This class is designed to pre-qualify attendees for the chest and hip harnesses required to attend Floor to Flying later in the event. Shay will guide the class through self-tying a swiss seat hip harness and a chest harness, as well as discussing rope handling skills for self-suspension. As time allows, she will also show a method for reinforcing the Swiss Seat for greater support, stability, and comfort.
Supplies:
- 4 x ~30’ (8m-10m) lengths 5mm-8mm suspension worthy rope (6mm recommended)
- 2 x ~15’ (3m-5m) lengths 5mm-8mm suspension worthy rope (6mm recommended)
Floor to Flying: Self-Suspension
Self-suspension can be used for athletic dynamic movement, meditation, exploring bondage masochism, a tool for learning as a rigger, and more. After a brief discussion of general principles and safety considerations specific to self-suspension, participants will quickly self-tie a chest harness and hip harness (see pre-certs) and practice support line skills specific to self-suspension. Shay will then guide the class through a basic face-up self suspension, with a possible transition to an inversion. Depending on your experience level, there will be options for dynamic hip harness-only inversion lifts, immobilization once in the air (including hair and ankle ties), and exploring other variations.
Anyone may attend and audit (observe) the class if you desire! To suspend in class, you must pre-qualify in the following:
- Chest harness for self-suspension in about 5 minutes (video tutorial link)
- Swiss Seat in about 5 minutes (video tutorial link)
- Support line skills- including hangers/munter hitch
Supplies:
- Cutting tool
- Comfortable, snug clothing- leggings & sports bra or nude on top recommended
- 4 x Suspension-worthy carabiners (screw-gate pear-shaped carabiners recommended)
- 4 x ~30’ (8m-10m) lengths 5mm-8mm suspension worthy rope (6mm recommended)
- 4 x ~15’ (3m-5m) 5mm-8mm suspension worthy rope (6mm recommended)
- 2 x ~30′ (8m-10m) rope for support lines- should provide a breaking strength of at least 10x the suspended person’s weight.
- Most natural fiber rope (aside from perhaps 8mm hemp) does not meet this requirement. 30′ 6mm POSH or 30′ 6mm Hempex (available from ajarope.com) are good options. Nylon/MFP is acceptable but not recommended for support lines as it is slippery and difficult to manage. Contact Shay for more information/recommendations if needed.
Please review these articles before coming to class (click for each):
Video Resources
How to Pre-Qualify for This Class
There’s two ways to pre-certify for the class:
First, you can Find a ROPECRAFT Advocate at an event near you. We will make announcements on a regular basis when a pre-certification session will take place, such as:
Graydancer ROPECRAFT Pre-Certification Session
at the L.A. GRUE 8-9pm Saturday January 9, 2016!
…and if you’re at that event, you can show up with your rope, and the certifier will have a stopwatch and say “GO!” If you tie the harness to suit the standards set by Shay in about 5 minutes, then your name is added to a list that gets you into the class! If not, the certifier will give you some suggestions on what to work on and you go off, practice your stuff, and try again.
Keep in mind the certifiers are NOT affiliated with any event aside from ROPECRAFT, and will be doing this on their personal time.
We will also be working with local Rope Bites to try and set up pre-certification opportunities through them – watch the list at the right to see which ones are participating!
Dammit, I have a life – I can’t go to any of those other events! Can I still take the class?
Of course! You simply need to come to ROPECRAFT and attend the 1-hour pre-qualification class and the up-line class by Topologist.
That’s right, you can actually learn everything you need to know for the Advanced Self-Suspension Class at ROPECRAFT, or take the time to learn it beforehand and have room for even more classes.
Is every presenter requiring pre-certification?
No, not at all. It’s simply an option we’re offering the presenters for some of their more advanced classes, and if they choose to do it, they will. We’ll continue to update both here and on Fet as things come up.
Right now we know we will have Ropecraft Advocates at the following events:
- L.A. GRUE V
- Rope Dojo Baltimore
- MadTown KinkFest
- Winter Wickedness
- Dark Odyssey Winterfire
- West Coast Bound
- ROPECRAFT Pre-Qual Party 2/15/16 (TBA)
We will also be adding lists of other rope groups that are offering pre-qualification sessions as well, so watch this space!
If you would like to be a Ropecraft Advocate, let us know!