Friday, September 21, 2012

Science Behind Nik Wallenda's Walk Over Niagara Falls

Josh Edwards

Period 5/6

Megastunts: The Science Behind Nik Wallenda's Tightrope Walk Over Niagara Falls

By: ABC 30/30, ESPN Sports Science




                          On June 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda, A 7th generation tightrope walker, accomplished the

unthinkable by crossing from USA to Canada on wire as thick as about 3 pennies. This stunt took a lot

science to make it all possible so Nik didn't fall tumbling to his death. First, Nik's normal walks consisted of

people down on ground level known as sway guys who would help make the wire level and sturdy. Since

this was walk was over water they used a different method of keeping the wire sturdy by adding pendulums

to counteract with Nik's weight. Also, to help keep Nik's balance as he walked across the wire he held on

to a 40 lbs pole which help keep him sturdy upon the wire. Nik's crew and science team is always preparing

for even the unexpected after the tragic death of Nik's Great Grandfather, Karl Wallenda, who died due to

faulty wiring. The science crew also test the tensional strength of the wire to see how much pressure they can

put on the wire before it breaks. Scientist have learned from Nik's past walks the multiple safer ways to put

up the wire so they have less accidents that they can prevent. After it's all down to the wire as it's up to the

walker to keep their balance which becomes harder as you become limited from 3 balance point in your foot

to 2. A lot of science has been put into this and lots of studies are done before. History is made by the level

of concentration and work put into these walks. This video was chosen because I enjoyed the thrilling walk

over Niagara Falls and I was curious to know what was done to back this walk a success.


Note: Sorry for weird format. Will fix later, it's for a school paper. -JE

Friday, August 17, 2012

Visiting the Baltimore Harbor




             A few weeks ago, I visiting the great city of Baltimore, Maryland. In preparation for the walk across Niagara Falls, and to also open the new Ripley's Believe it or Not which is located right there on the harbor. Nik crossed the Baltimore Harbor. However, Nik almost fell off the rope, he still successfully made it across. As a gift to open the new Ripley's Believe it or Not museum, Nik gave them a piece of his tightrope and his wetsuit to put on display. Check out pictures of both below:
                The city of Baltimore is a strong supporter of Nik's. They are gracious around there. There is a memorial to his walk and people still talk about him months after he has left. I highly suggest any Nik Wallenda fan making a trip to Baltimore.

Thursday, July 26, 2012

Baltimore Harbor


             I'm about ready to leave for my trip to Baltimore, Maryland. While in Baltimore, I plan on visiting the harbor which Nik crossed in his practice run for the Big Show, Niagara Falls. Nik almost fell during this walk as he lost concentration by talking to his friend in the bucket who was holding the rope steady. Nik finished this walk safely and was one step closer into history.  

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Karl Wallenda Tribute

Watch in horror as sadly, Karl Wallenda Falls to his death in  Puerto Rico, on March 22, 1978
Then watch as over 30 years later, Nik Wallenda and mother Deliah Wallenda honor Karl in the same walk.

Picture of The Day: July 19, 2012



                   Nik Wallenda steps over his mother, Delilah Wallenda, in his famous walk in San Juan, Puerto Rico. This wasn't any ordinary walk for Nik, nor was it another one of his famous record breaking stunts. This was a tribute to his Great-Grand Father Karl Wallenda, who died doing the same walk on  March 22, 1978. Although Karl's death was at the fault of a poor set up, this walk was still very touching and scary for the whole family. Nik's father Terry takes a lot of the blame for Karl falling as he wasn't there to set up the equiptment proparally for the walk. As proven by Nik's show, Beyond Niagara, it was the poor set up that caused Karl to fall to his tragic death. Terry was strongly persistent when saying he didn't want Nik to do this walk, but Nik wanted to in order to honor his fallen hero. Nik's mom wanted to attempt the walk with Nik as she thought it would be a great tribute to the man that taught her everything. Nik and Delilah walked in opposite directions during the walk. Horror was brought majorly towards the end of the walk as Nik slipped and almost had the same fiat as Karl. Nik mantained his balance and finished the walk. When he finished he pointed up to honor his fallen great grand father. Nik also kneeled at the exact spot Karl fell. This walk was truly a huge tribute to greatest tightrope walker that inspired Nik Wallenda. Without Karl's inspiration, Nik would have never been the King of The High Wire.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012