Slacklining, a balancing sport, could take off like skateboarding

Jake Erlich fastens a rope between two poles at the Central ferry piers late on a Tuesday night. He tests its tautness before leaping, almost theatrically, onto the thin line. He wobbles momentarily before gaining balance.

Then, gliding along with ease, he explains why he and a growing number of "slackers" make this weekly pilgrimage to indulge in the unusual sport of slacklining.

"There is something about walking on a piece of rope that just feels good," says Erlich, 32, who hails from the US.

It's the springy, trampoline-like quality of the line, he says, and the simplicity of the pursuit of balance, that make it so much fun.

"Plus, when you nail something you've been working on - a jump, a new distance, or a new trick - it's like, 'Ah, that's just awesome. Did you see me do that?'" he adds.

First, let us dispel any confusion: slacklining is not tightrope walking. Unlike its circus cousin, slacklining relies on the rope being slightly loose, although it must still have some tension. Being lower to the ground, you can jump on and fall off with ease. The spongy nature of the cord gives it some bounce, which allows for stunts like jumps and hand plants.