Flying Wallenda gets green light to tightrope over Niagra falls

[lonewolf]

Will he make it?

[genrex]

Got a green light from who?.... his mother?

When I lived there in the '60s and '70s, it was illegal to do that.

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[lonewolf]

Got permission from the parks board .
Going to happen this summer.
Says he'll help boost tourism.

[genrex]

Niagara Falls is one of the top tourist destinations in the world. There are huge numbers of tourists not only from North America, but from Asia and Europe as well. Any so-called "boost" in tourism will be a drop in the bucket!

I feel sorry for him. I think his family is pressuring him to do it, to give him a place in the history books, but more importantly to reclaim their family record which was eclipsed by another family of performers. It's all about ego.

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[Moses]

The News says Wallenda will not wear a harness, but will carry a "safety belt" that he could hook to the wire if he fell and grabbed it.

He will also be in touch by wireless microphone with a rescue helicopter that would try to pluck him from the water if he fell in, The News says.

Wow...

[lonewolf]

He will have to do it a fair distance from the falls so when he falls they can get him.
That won't be the same thing as doing it close to or over the falls.

[genrex]

I was hoping it would be closer to the falls. A bit downstream from the falls is the Whirlpool. The Whirlpool is powerful and is not safe for boats. If people get caught in the Whirlpool, their chances of surviving are not good. That's the reason for the helicopter; it's basically his only chance of rescue.

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[lonewolf]

Well I would think it would have to be upriver or over the falls for the full risk effect.
downriver is not the same thing, would you agree?
Yes I know about the whirlpool.
I was born in NF, and know only too well about the hazards of that river.
I would think they'll practice picking him up from the river so they know how much time they have .

[genrex]

I agree, the only thing that makes sense is to do it close to the falls, where all the people are and where the Maid of the Mist boats are. I think that's where it might be? because he needed permission from the parks commission.

I wonder what kind of insurance policy he has.

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[lonewolf]

Agreed but close to the falls there are too many variables that cannot be controlled like the mist.
Like me you have seen how strong that water is .
The distance ,the variables, I would be very impressed if he made it .
I guess we will really have to see where he plans to go across before any predictions can be formed but right now I can't think of anywhere he could cross that's close to the falls that if he fell he would survive.
I think they will be practicing plucking him from the river by chopper.

[p911dad]

Just visualizing that makes my sphincter tighten up. That is one seriously nasty river. Shades of Evel Knievel and the Snake River jump.

[genrex]

I forgot about the mist, and the other variables... including sanity.

[72doug2,2S]

Funny, that's where I'm heading in June with the family and friends.

[rattlsnak]

I was born there also, and remember seeing the footage of the people doing it long ago. I think they all did it about 1/2 mile down from the edge or almost half way between the falls and the rainbow bridge.