Flying Trapeze

Flying trapeze is a circus art where you swing from a bar high above a safety net, pull off tricks mid-air and let go on cue. You climb a ladder to a platform, grab the bar and step off into thin air. Beginners fly in a safety harness on lines, so it's properly thrilling without being reckless.

It's all about timing, trust and acting on instinct. Your brain will have opinions about the stepping-off part. That's normal.

The flying trapeze was first performed in France in the 19th century by an acrobat called Jules Léotard. He also gave his name to the stretchy all-in-one outfit he performed in. Good news: the leotard is optional.

Most people start with the knee hang. Swing out, hook your knees over the fly bar, let go with your hands and hang upside down with your arms out wide, feeling like an absolute legend. Then reach back up and drop into the net.

From there you can try splits, a backflip dismount into the net and the big one, the catch. That's where you let go of your bar and a catcher, hanging by their knees from a second trapeze, grabs your wrists mid-flight. It's as dramatic as it sounds.

It starts on solid ground. Your Activity Leader walks you through the moves on a low bar and shows you how to land in the net safely, on your back or bottom. Then it's harness on, up the ladder and onto the platform.

On the call "Ready", you bend your knees. On "Hep", you go. The Activity Leader calls each move from below, telling you when to lift your legs and when to let go, while your safety lines are held from the ground. Everyone takes turns, and the cheering gets louder with every flyer.

You're in good company. Plenty of people climb that ladder with shaky legs and come down buzzing. The harness and net are there for exactly this reason, and nobody will rush you off the platform. Squash the fear for a few seconds and the swing takes care of the rest.

Close-fitting activewear is ideal, like leggings and a T-shirt that tucks in. Avoid baggy tops, zips and anything that could snag on the bar or lines. Leave jewellery behind, tie back long hair and bring your bravery.

You might also like Aerial Hoop & Trapeze, Aerial Silks & Slings and Aerial Bungee.

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