A zip line is a long, flexible metal cable that can be swung or zipped along vertical or horizontal surfaces. They are incredibly cool to look at and try if you have no trees nearby!
Zip lines are very simple to make. All you need is a zip line and a zip line box! You can find them at most big-box stores or discount stores.
The main component of a zip line is the metal cable. These cables can be standard-sized ones, or smaller Kettleshop type cables. Either way, they must be flexible enough to fold in half when needed, and connect to the box properly.
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Buy steel cables
You will need to buy steel cables to make a zip line. These are usually used for building cable run structures. They come in varying diameters and can be joined together or vectorized into a zip line.
You can find them at most office supply stores or electronics stores.
Buy carabiners
A carabiner is a small, metal clip used to hold several small items, such as keys or an iPhone. You can make your own by weaving several thin metal clips together to form a ring.
You will also need to buy some ropes!
Using carabiners, you can create loops that you can tie off on the rope to create a zip line. These loops can be made in different sizes and places, making it easy to use.
The same idea goes for the ropes- you can make one thicker or thinner according to what thickness of line you want between your legs, or depending on whether you want a soft or harder feel.
Buy a pulley system
A pulley system is a series of ropes or chains that you can use to make a zip line. You can buy one made for climbing walls, or ones that can be adjusted to different lengths.
Many are made in monochrome, so you do not have to buy one of each length! It is also easy to find those that are short, long, or adjustable.
Bullet point end Here is an example of a short-length adjustable monochrome pulley system. It may be difficult to find the longer lengths, but you can easily convert them.
Prepare your launch point
Once you’ve located your zip line, it’s time to figure out where you’re going to launch yourself into the air. You can launch yourself off of a stable platform, or into the wind!
The easiest option is to find a parking lot or large field where you can safely enter the water. This is ideal if you have children as they can be supervised by their parents.
Figure out your maximum velocity before you go swimming! A rule of thumb is that water velocities should not be more than one-third of your normal velocity.
Either find a large platform, or find a place where you can land softly.
Run your zip line cables
When it comes to running your zip line cables, there are a couple of crucial things that you must do. First, make sure to get enough cable. Zip lines can be long!
Second, make sure to place them where they can be seen. If you build your own zip line, you should use safety equipment such as a certified safety kit and/or a hired professional’s kit to put your cables in.
And lastly, make sure to take some time to enjoy the view from wherever you are looking at your zip line.
To make sure your cables are long enough, and to ensure they are not broken when the wind is high, put some padding between them and the ground.
Attach your carabiners to your launch point
Once you’re in the air, it’s important to keep your body balanced. Your body naturally compensates for gravity with muscles in your lower and upper spine.
To do this, you need to attach your launch point to an anchor. Anchors can be as simple as a carabiner or as complex as a system that tracks your position using sensors.
Most zip line systems offer two types of anchors- one that tracks your positioning and one that doesn’t. If the system doesn’t have a matching anchor, try adding one until you find one that works for you.
Once connected, stay in contact with the anchor so it stays upright and holds its charge.
Pull out the slack in your lines
When you’re ready to go, your lines should be as soft as a ribbon. If you used thicker lines, this is the time to let the line break apart.
You can also do this when the line is down, or if you have to add more material to make it longer. When it comes out, just cut some new material and re-inflate!
To make your lines longer, you can pull one end of the line up further than the other. To make them shorter, take one end of the line down further than the other.
To recover from any accidents or malfunctions, just recover by cutting more material away! It is helpful to have some medical tape or medical scissors on hand so that you can do this quickly and easily.
Test it before using it with a person or weight
Before using a zip line to make it easier or more difficult for your body to move through the water, test it out by going over the line with no support. This allows you to determine how easy it is for you to get on and off of the zip line, as well as how much weight you have before swimming on.
To do this, find a relatively short zip line that is adequate for your size. Find a climbing wall or other high platform where you can sit comfortably in a pool of water. Then, put on some comfortable shoes and do a little warm-up and cool-down on the floor.
Now, prepare yourself by doing any necessary exercises to correct any mechanical issues with your body.