Canberra - Introduction to Self-Suspension

Walk away with the confidence to suspend yourself safely and have fun!

This one day workshop is a condensed version of Fern & Sylb's 2-day self suspension weekend workshop intensives! Fern will walk you through building one version of a chest harness & hip harness, physics related to suspension, how to attach rope to your harnesses to build hangers, how suspend yourself safely and plenty of air time in the afternoon!

What you will leave with:

• Preparation and safety measures for self-suspension
• 1 x chest harness & 1 x hip harness (if we have time we can go through more)
• Knowledge of rope physics/ different gear required
• Different types of hangers/ upline attachment to harnesses
• Upline management - different ways to lock off uplines, how to avoid & unjam your rope
• Putting it all together!
• Supervised rope self suspension time

Attendee skill level:

1. This workshop is suited to any 18+ attendees who are seeking to explore self-suspension. This workshop is suitable for those with no previous experience with self tying or suspending, however attendees must be able to:
   • Confidently tie a secure single column tie.  Ferns preference (but it can be any style single column) is the Larks Head (aka reverse tension) single column and double column.
   • The Duchy - Larks Head Single Column
   • The Duchy - Larks Head Double Column
2. Bodies of all shapes and sizes can self-suspend: If you’re able to touch your hand to the back of your neck, and able to touch your hand to the back of your spine, you can self suspend! We will show modifications to all harnesses which can be used in case you find that the harness is strenuous in suspension.

If you have any concerns about your potential ability to self-tie or self-suspend please feel free to reach out to @The-Forest-Nymph (FL or Instagram) and we can discuss perceived medical or physical limitations, as she has lived experience with modifying harnesses and practices for her own disabilities.

What to bring:

• Yourself!
• Approx. 6-10 lengths of 8-10m rope;
  • at least two of these ropes MUST be synthetic weight rated rope for your uplines. 
  • Synthetic weight rated rope that Fern uses is either Nylon or POSH. 
  • We will also have some twisted lay POSH rope available for purchase on the day from GeckoCo Ropes https://geckoropes.square.site/.
• 4-6 carabiners
  • Recommendation is pear shape, solid gate carabiners to allow for optimum mechanical advantage
  • See @The-Forest-Nymph's writing on gear suggestions and links to Australian retailers: https://fetlife.com/users/8776675/posts/7174256
  • If you don't have these, message Fern on Instagram, FL or email and she can bring spare
• A rigging plate or ring, or extra carabiners to create a "chain of carabiners". (Msg Fern if you are unsure)
• Medical grade shears for cutting rope in an emergency
• A notebook and pen to take notes with, if you like
• There will be some coffee, tea and snacks provided. 
• If you do not have any/or all of the suggested gear please message Fern on Instragm, FL or email and she will be able to organise to bring spare gear.

About The-Forest-Nymph:

Fern (She/her) is an unapologetically zany and queer neurodivergent woman who has been tying for 6 years, and facilitating rope bondage education for over 7 years in Naarm (Melbourne) and most recently in Wangal Country (Sydney).

She brings along 10 years of outdoor rock climbing experience, including in commercial settings. Her rope journey saw her start out as a rope bottom, quickly transitioning to self-suspension and partnered rope bondage shenanigans. Fern has a unique skill set to share with those interested in rope bondage.

Condition of Entry/Participation

Please note that a condition of entry and participation is agreement with our liability waiver and Hitchcraft's Code of Conduct. Both of these will be available on the day.

We will be requiring participants to sign our liability waiver on the day.

The Venue: 

The workshop will be held at The Salon in Fyshwick.

Access

Parking: parking is in the surrounding streets. Please be respectful of our neighbours while arriving and departing, 

Venue Accessibility

Full access to the main floor (no steps), however the bathroom is not wheelchair accessible.

Please feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions about the venue's accessibility or any accessibility requirements.