A day at the circus

After a miserable week of cold, wintry rain, being woken up on a Saturday by the blinding sun shining through my window is a pretty welcome start to the day. As a Brisvegas local, there’s nothing more satisfying than making the most out of a perfect winter’s day, especially when it involves a short trip up to the beautiful Sunshine Coast. So with the fam in tow, we hit the road.

While it’s far too cold to pack our swimmers, the t-shirt appropriate weather is ideal for braving it in a different kind of way – by conquering our fear of heights at Cirque Espace Exhilar8 Flying Trapeze!

Located at the Novotel Twin Waters Resort Sunshine Coast, we’re welcomed by our friendly hosts for the day, Luke and Nikki. Around ten amateur acrobats join my brother Harry and I in the class. Nikki asked if we’d had any experience in this before, and although I have a gymnastics background, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

Let’s get started folks
Before we can go anywhere, we’re briefed on a few safety hazards to ensure we make it out in one piece. I’m not too worried at this stage, and attempt an up-side down hang by my knees on the practice bar, stretching my arms out behind me. Easy. Next stage – the swing.

I climb up the ladder to the platform, and here’s where I meet Chops – the man who will hold my life in his hands while I reach out to grab the bar (okay, okay, it isn’t that dramatic – I’m in a harness after all).

Nikki screamed the words from down below, “Ready and HUP!” (I’m guessing that’s circus lingo for ‘GO’). There’s no turning back now, I’m off! Holding on for my dear life I tuck my knees up around the bar and let my hands go. The feeling is utterly exhilarating.

After the swing comes to a stop I let go of my knees and land in the safety net below. I may have been shaking like there’s no tomorrow, but I can’t wait to get back up there! The feeling is addictive, and at this point I realise, I should probably pack my bags and join the circus.

After two or three attempts we all feel like pros. But there’s more. The next stage is to give a knee-hang-catch a go. This involves a little more work, and a lot more adrenalin rush through the body. Dan (our catcher) swings from another bar on the trapeze, while we try to synchronize with him, ready for the catch.

My little bro Harry is one of the first up. Gliding through the air like he’s done this hundreds of times, he gracefully grasps onto Dan’s wrists, releases his knees from the bar, and swings from one trapeze to another – all in the first hour of the class!

I’m up next, and surprising no one more than myself, I did it!

After 90 minutes of addictive fun, I’m a little sad it’s all over. The Exhilar8 Flying Trapeze class at Cirque Espace is the perfect way to soak up the sun on the Sunshine Coast without getting wet. The support and encouragement given by the instructors is unforgettable, and we conquered our fear of heights and trapezed like pros!

I can’t recommend this class enough. It’s suitable for anyone aged six or over, so makes the perfect activity for a families, groups and couples alike. I will definitely be returning soon!