Helmut Netwerker is a longline master ! As you may have noticed in our record tab, Yuri Rhodenborgh is owning the longline polyester record. However the day Yuri did that record, he wasn’t alone : Helmut was there and he also walked the longline. He also managed to beat the longline nylon record the same day !! 405 m on polyester and 283m on nylon. Helmut is a recordman !
We managed to interview Helmut and to ask him the important question : “Do you like chocolate ?”
Where are you from ?
Vienna, Austria
Since how long do you slack ?
5 years
When did you send your two world records ?
On 24.10.2014
We know that Yuri crossed the 405m too, and we can read his traning story, what about yours ?
Philipp Gesing invited me to his event and I just wanted to know how bouncing a 400m line feels.
I didn’t train especially for this line. If I go slacklining, I always train or try to push my limits.
After rigging both lines, Yuri was the first who started on the 405m (skillshot) and as nobody else wanted to, I went to the 283m (Type-18). We walked it both.
Couple of minutes later I tried the 400. I wasn’t confident with this line in first place so I needed several tries to walk the first 100m. After playing in the middle I gave the last part a try. As I managed to walk the last part without any struggles, I was self-confident enough to sent the line, so I did it.
What the longest highline you walk ?
92m
Do you have any sponsor ?
No
As you can actualy see, in France there is a debate about the possible slackline federation, what about federation in your country and are you involved ?
In 2011, the three biggest slackline associations from Austria (slackline.at, teambalance, vienna-slackliners) found the austrian slackline federation.
At the moment I am president of the federation.
Highline should be completly free or should be rules ?
To avoid accidents with flying objects (helicopters, planes, paragliders…) we have a “highline declaration formular” at our website. If you rig a highline in Austria (or at the borders close to), please fill in the form :
http://www.slacklineverband.com/formulare/highline-formular/
What was the last line you walk ?
60m sonic at the park
Something in you refrigerator ?
pumpkin seed oil
What did you do last sunday ?
went highlining
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be ?
not always being too late
A phrase you say often:
disco
Your biggest fear is :
to stop playing like a little child
Your biggest worry is :
don´t worry be happy
Your biggest weakness is ?
interested in too many things
A guilty pleasure of yours is :
slackline 
Something you could use more of in life is :
spending time with my family
What webbing you usually use ?
it depends on whether I want to play with or I just want to walk
Do you listen music by slacklining, and what ?
I always listen to music while I slackline, it helps me to stay in “the zone”. I like different styles of music: hiphop, metal, electronic, atmosphere, … but my all time favourite is “Bobby McFerrin – don´t worry be happy”
The last message you sent ?
Sorry, I can´t manage to come to the ISPO
The best advice you’ve Ever received is :
to breath out through the nose
What quality do you admire most in other people ?
endurance
Where did you travel in 2014 ?
Turkey, Czech Republic, Germany, Switzerland, Italy
Where will you go in 2015 ?
Turkey, France, … ?
What goals would you like to achieve this year ?
stay motivated, be more confident on the highline
What does it feel to walk 405m and during a looooooong time ?
it feels like: wow just 3 winddampers left … no wait , they are 5, … thinking about the distance between the dampers (nearly 50m), calculating, … shit … not even the middle
Last word :
disco
By the way, do you like chocolate ?
For sure ! That reminds me i wanted to buy some !
