In the last blog, we spoke about different kinds of trapeze. However, do you know what trapezes ropes are and can be made of? What materials work best and what should you look for?
In a blog by Amanda Lynch via Rodleigh's Blogs from Trix Circus titled "Trapeze Ropes: What is the Difference?" , she gives us the lowdown on all things ropes. The first material to be mentioned is nylon ropes, "A nylon-rope trapeze is a great choice for a circus school/studio as it is well suited to high-use scenarios and it doesn’t cost a fortune. It is also a great “starter” trapeze for someone getting into the art. These trapeze ropes do not have an inner core rope like the other ropes, which means they will have some stretch with use. Nylon material is also more slippery in the hands and hard on the skin." Nylon is also "economical and durable."
Next on the list is Cotton-dyneema rope. While you may be familiar with cotton, you may not know what dyneema is. Dyneema Composite Fabric (DCF), also known as Cuben Fiber (CTF3), is a high-performance non-woven composite material used in high-strength, low-weight applications. "Dyneema’s unique chemical composition makes it significantly stronger (15 times stronger than steel, in fact). In addition, Dyneema is waterproof, resistant to fire and chemicals, can withstand extreme temperatures, has a low density, doesn’t cause allergic reactions, and it floats." This is why dyneema is often used in military vehicle armor and body armor, outdoor gear like tents and backpacks, and denim and motorcycle clothing. You can read up more at "Dyneema Explained" and at "Gear Patrol" for more information. When dyneema is woven with cotton for trapezes, this kind of material on trapezes are "very stable and comfortable. The ropes will never stretch unevenly. In fact, due to the inner core of dyneema, the ropes won’t stretch at all!" Amanda continues by noting "the combination of stability and strength of the dyneema core makes this a great choice for dynamic solo and for duo work. The cotton rope is very easy to grip and kinder to the skin than the nylon-rope construction."
Next, Amanda talks about Corde Lisse. "Corde lisse trapezes are much more comfortable than either of the above. The ropes are soft and very kind to the body. Like the cotton-dyneema trapeze, it also has a dyneema core. This means that it won’t stretch beyond the inner dyneema length (generally 2.5m or 3m). However, along with the softness, this trapeze has some “bounce” properties. The inner packing that makes the ropes so soft also shrinks the ropes upwards so that when it is not in use, it measures up to 25cm shorter than when in use. This “bounce” makes the trapeze very comfortable and soft to use but may not be the best choice for a dynamic-focused act. This trapeze is a really great choice for dance trapeze or anyone who wants to focus their choreography in the ropes. It doesn’t have padding/elbows at the bottom so it isn’t great for “clix”/ankle tricks."
Tissu Trapeze is another kind (may also be called "sliding trapeze" as seen in this performance) in which the ropes are hammocks so they are made from “mesh-style” tricot material. This means the trapeze can come in any color you’d like. Amanda adds that "the material can be thick in your hand, so it’s not a great choice for a child’s trapeze. The lifetime of the fabric is shorter than any of the other trapeze ropes, but it can always be replaced!"
Much like the tissu trapeze, this object is a relatively new (and "super cool invention" at Trix Circus). Amanda stated that the "regular straps trapeze comes with either padded or unpadded straps-style ropes. The padded version is a lot easier to grip and is made in a similar fashion to the padded lyra strap. The unpadded version is made the same way as our stirrup straps and our continuous lyra strap. There are several different options for padding and rigging, depending on what your needs are."
There is so much to learn about trapezes that learning about the kinds and also the materials they are made from seems like just the tip of the iceberg! Stay tuned for more!
Editor's note:
Trix Circus is out of Australia and have been making their own trapezes for over 50 years. You can see their selection HERE. Rodleigh Stevens is the Director, Head Rigger and Chief Equipment Designer at Trix. He is the fifth generation circus artist and "as a specialized circus equipment designer, he takes equipment manufacturing seriously," Rodleigh is also known for having worked for all the big name companies like Cirque du Soleil, Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Circus, Pink Funhouse tour, École Nationale de Cirque, Zip Zap Circus School, Flying Fruit Flies, Circa, Circus Nock, Circus Barnum and many more.
Written By: Coach Alicia
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