Champion of highline freestyle and passionate about vertical adventures, Salomé Cholet constantly pushes the limits of balance. Between dizzying cliffs, spectacular caves, and international competitions, she embodies a still emerging discipline that she dreams of sharing with as many people as possible. Meeting with an athlete who literally walks – and bounces – above the void.
How did you discover highlining and what made you want to make it your sport of choice?
When I was younger, I saw someone doing highlining in the Demoiselles cave and I was immediately tempted. At that time, the sport was tiny and I was 'too young'. Then, years later, I met someone who was highlining and who suggested I try it. I fell in love with the sport from my first time on the line. It was obvious.
What distinguishes 'freestyle' from other forms of highlining?
Freestyle is one of the most athletic practices of highlining. Instead of just walking on it, we use more elastic straps to bounce and perform tricks on this 2.5 cm strap between two cliffs.
You are a multiple world champion and vice-champion: what performance are you most proud of today?
One of my greatest prides today has nothing to do with my titles. To be honest, I think my greatest pride in highlining is having opened and crossed a 500 m highline between Thaurac and Rocher de Sion in 2020. It’s a project that took me a lot of time to create, but it still remains one of my most beautiful achievements.
Mental preparation is essential in this sport. Do you have any particular techniques to manage stress or fear?
Personally, and it’s probably due to my childhood, I have never been afraid of heights and I learned to trust the gear very young. As for stress, it is obviously present when you cross the biggest line you have ever crossed or when you find yourself in the finals of the world championships haha. But once on the line, a few breaths and the body gets back to its marks. Your mind refocuses and nothing else matters but the performance.
You travel a lot for your competitions and training. What places have marked you the most?
There is a spot in Switzerland, Sustenpath, that I really love: we are above a lake with 7/8 parallel lines and we all bounce together, side by side. I really love both the place and the vibe there! But the most magical spot where I had the chance to slack is inside the Demoiselles cave. In there, you want to be softer, more respectful, it feels like being in another world, it’s truly magical. One day, I would love to cross the 2 km or so that separates Pic Saint-Loup from Hortus!
Highlining is still an emerging sport. How would you like it to develop in the coming years?
Highlining, as it exists today, will never become a mainstream sport: it involves too much, too much complexity, too much access. But for over a year and a half now, I have been sharing this sport on social media to raise awareness, because I know that freestyle highlining has the potential to become something that everyone watches. I will tell you a secret: I am preparing a project to open what will be the first highline gym in the world! The idea is precisely to give access to everyone, without the risks and unknowns that the outdoors brings, but also to provide those who already practice with a qualitative and sustainable training space. Personally, I dream of seeing freestyle highlining in the Olympics in a few years, and I will be even prouder if I can contribute to it!
When you are not on a slackline, how do you maintain your balance between being an athlete and your daily life?
For years, especially during my studies, I felt like I was living a double life: pro highliner in the evening, during holidays, and on weekends, and a simple student the rest of the time. It was a bit weird, the feeling of being two different people, belonging to neither of the two worlds. Then, as I grew up, I found a balance and these two parts of me regrouped.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to start highlining or slacklining in general?
Today, the community has grown tremendously and it is easy, especially in our region, to meet practitioners who can teach. Don’t be afraid. Dare. When you see them on cliffs or in parks, never hesitate to go meet them/us and above all, never forget: we are here to have fun!
And to finish on a lighter note: if you could choose a dream location, anywhere in the world, to set up a highline, where would it be?
My dream line?
It is located at 6000 m altitude, between two hot air balloons, and it breaks two world records. I take this opportunity to say that the project is underway but we are short on sponsors?
