The Line of the Week
Location -High Camp Pool, Squaw Valley USA
Slackliner – Sam Salwei – YogaSlackers.com
Just Another Day at the Pool
I hate to sound redundant and boast yet again about shredding rad lines, jet-setting to exotic locations, bumpin’ and grindin’ on top of bars and arm wrestling chicks but to tell you the truth that is how this summer seems to be unfolding. Everywhere I turn these days people are rockin’ out and taking no prisoners. The key I guess is surrounding yourself with bad ass people. The days go by and I attempt to plan out out what the next “Line of the Week” will be. I brainstorm, make plans, follow leads, cold call random athletes, and sometimes follow the rainbow to that celestial mind blowing “pot of gold”.
So this past weekend I decided I needed a break. There I was, Wanderlust, Squaw Valley USA, packed house, sitting around the pool, “chasing the m#$% around”. It’s a rare occasion that I spend a day at the High Camp pool but this particular afternoon was screaming for a session. A crew was heading up there, the cable car was jam packed with yoga chicks, total no brainer. Mo grabbed a handful of margaritas while Dan and Clark were making the rounds in the hot tub. I basked in my perma-grin. “Oh, how I love Tahoe”.
During my moment in paradise something different caught my eye. A grip of carabiners, several feet of red webbing, and a set of wide interesting eyes. I strolled over and met Sam Salwei. We began to talk about slacklining. During the Q&A, Sam let me know that he was about to try something that might make for good images. This something was a first for me. I have watched and participated in many a slackline but this line was to be created by manpower. Instead of anchoring the line to a tree it was anchored by five guys on each end pulling on the line and somehow creating enough tension for Sam to walk across.
I hopped in the pool with my 5d and shot at water level. People began to gather all around and cheer. Could this have been the first High Camp pool slackline in the history of Squaw? Not only did he walk the line but he stopped in the middle and did a split before bouncing off the line into the pool with a thunderous applause. So many amazing people on this planet! Just another day at the pool.
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Ryan Salm Photography.com
The Line of the Week is a weekly photo piece by Ryan Salm featuring some of Tahoe’s finest athletes doing whatever we deem rad. We will be using the term “Line” loosely to describe anything resembling chutes, big airs, pointers or any general madness. All images are the property and copyright of Ryan Salm Photography. All images are only to be used in conjunction with the Line of the Week. Any other usage must be cleared in writing by Ryan Salm.