The Alarming Fate of High Wire Walkers Who Operate Without a Net
How to take responsible risks
The problem with death-defying circus acts is that sometimes they don’t defy death.
It used to be that high-wire walkers and trapeze artists always performed with a net. It was crazy not to. No matter how skilled you are, bad things can happen — often things outside of your control. A gust of wind, a loud bang from the audience that breaks your concentration, or improperly assembled equipment can make you lose your balance.
And when you’re hundreds of feet off the ground, any slip or momentary lapse can send you tumbling down to the ground below.
Without a net, the consequences of any failure are almost certainly fatal.
If you have a net, you might still get hurt, but you will live to balance above the ground some other day. Walking the wire with a safety net is still risky — it’s a responsible risk.
The famous Flying Wallendas changed everything when it comes to safety nets. It wasn’t a calculated decision.
The Ringling Brothers Circus hired the family after John Ringling saw the Wallendas perform in Havana. The group’s first show was in Madison Square Garden in 1928. But the net never arrived at the venue.
