A guest post from BC PRO-Team member Jordan Tybon.

Warning, this line was not set up to be walked, only for demonstration after a session, for this reason there was no tree protection used during setup. Always use tree-pro, regardless if your line is under tension or not.

The first consideration in finding a rodeo line spot is location. You need two trees with an appropriate distance for the length of line you want to setup. But more importantly, the trees need to have minimal branches at anchor height that could interfere with your walking/surfing. Be sure that your anchor points are clear of branches that extend in the direction of your line, and are underneath your anchor points.

When you have your trees, take your line and throw one end up into the branches, make sure to throw it between the branches where your line is going to be rigged. This makes it easier to climb the trees, first, by removing a hanging line which can catch and snag, and second, it avoids the difficulty of having to weave the line under branches as you reach your anchor point.

Climbing the trees:

there are several methods of climbing trees, as mentioned in the video.

1. The simplest and most effective method is to use extra slings, and girth hitch them around the stem of the tree. In most cases, it's better to have longer slings (8+ ft) and then tie knots in them when necessary to make a ladder system. To use this method, take your sling and wrap it around the tree, pull the longer end through the loop that came around the tree and pull tight. This should create a pinching effect, which, through friction, should allow you to stand in the longer, hanging loop. Use another sling as high as possible and make another girth hitch, step into the next sling, remove the first sling, and place it above, and so on. Continue until you reach climbable branches or your anchor point.

2. The second method is very comfortable, but only works on smooth bark trees. Not recommended for Oaks, Maple, etc.

   In this method, you form some sort of loop, it could be slings bound together, it could be the end of your slackline with a loop knotted in the end. If you're going to use your line, use something heavy, like a shackle, and throw your line over a high branch, then tie your leg loop. When you've gotten your loop back to the ground, as it travels over the branch. Slide your leg inside the loop and pull it up under your butt. Sit down in the loop, and bounce your way up, holding yourself in the new position with your hands and the friction from the material traveling over the branch. Extra tip, when you've reached your branches or your anchor point, wrap the sling/line around the branch one more time, and you should have enough friction to stand in it without using your hands (USE WITH EXTREME CAUTION) Continue bouncing until you reach climbable branches or your anchor point.

Building the anchors:

This is an easy step, simply girth hitch your slings, attach your weblock, and install your line. You only really need one weblock for a rodeo setup, for adjustments in slack, but honestly I cannot think of any other method other than tying a knot which is less gear-intensive, and knots are bad for your webbing. Make sure to leave enough slack in the end of the weblock on one side that you can grab onto it and make adjustments. That is, one tail should be at least head high from the ground.

As you move to the second anchor, take the time to make sure your line is flat. This is honestly not such a big deal for rodeolines, if your line is perfectly flat or not, but Janek would scold me if I didn't say that your line should be flat.

I do this by laying the line out on the ground, and then placing sticks across the line where I know it is flat at distinct intervals. Usually, 2-3 sticks will do, and then I use the very end of the other side to throw over the branches, to avoid disturbing my sticks which are indicating flat. When you get up to the other anchor, pull the line up slowly, checking the twists as each stick is lifted off the line.

Always leave your line much too loose when setting up. It's much easier to take slack out of your rodeo than having to re-climb the trees and give more slack.

That’s it! You've setup a rodeo line!

Please let me know if you have any comments, questions, suggestions. Soon I will create a basic techniques video, explaining the motion, failures, and getting started with surfing! I hope you all enjoyed the video and I look forward to hearing from you.