My name is Luca Rocha, I'm 20 years old and I've been slacklining for almost 4 years now. I got my first contact with the sport in 2012 when my mom gave one kit to me as a gift, and since then, I never stopped. I've travelled all around the world meeting awesome people thanks to slackline and I think that is the greatest part of it. I also study in an Engineering School.
My goal is to land tricks and combos that have never been thought before and amaze people wherever I am.
My greatest achievement would be to have a great career in slackline and engineer at the same time and use my knowledge in engineering to improve the slacklining experience.
The biggest problem I face is the weather and the setup spot. I don't have any indoor spot to set up my slackline, so if it's raining or the weather is cloudy and dark, I can't practice. I also have to be careful with my injuries, the line can hurt pretty bad sometimes.
The best feeling in slackline is to land something you really want after a long time thinking and trying it. I also feel good when people watch me doing my thing with shining eyes like it was the most awesome thing they saw in a while.
I don't have a place to practice the flips and spins. All I learn is over the slackline. I just think about the trick and the next time I'm on the line I try it.
The thing that works for me is not to practice every day. I actually only slackline in weekends and I think this is the best way to improve my skills because I let my body rest and I think about everything I want to do next time I go up in a slackline, and when I do, I know I have to get it because if I don't, I have to wait 1 week to try again. That's what keeps me motivated and it works really well for me.
I almost never get nervous, it all depends on my first run on the line. If I go there and do everything as planned I stay calm, confident and happy. But if I go up and mess up something I usually don't, it's a death sentence, it just gets worst.
My biggest fan is my dad for sure. He always goes to my practice and pushes me to do my best, always supports me in my competitions and has believed in my potential since day 1 and I have to thank him so much for it.
An old friend once told me "I just believe when I see and I just respect it if it is in a combo". This advice helped me to get where I am today.
Practice, travel as much as I can, compete as much as I can and finish college as soon as possible.
DON'T GIVE UP! Slackline is a hard sport, it takes a while to improve but at certain point, the improvement gets exponential. Just don't give up. Get a slackline kit, set it up somewhere and don't forget the basics: don't look down, try to find a fix spot in the anchor, keep your arms up and feet straight over the line, bend your knees a little bit and focus on your core.