Rope Swing

I am looking to get into setting us some mellow rope swings at a local waterfall in my area. Basically just a 20 - 40 foot rope coming down from a tree that you can grab and jump out on. I am curious to know what the best type of rope would be for something like this? My personal climbing rope? Retired Climbing Rope? Or just a hefty cheap rope thats rated to body weight?

Will Haden wrote: Static rope

Dolphinately. 

Alex Milton wrote:

Dolphinately. 

did you do that on porpoise?

A fat piece of BW11+ static rope would probably be ideal (great for fixed ropes for cleaning too) Super strong and takes hanging out in the sun for years well as being tan so it blends in better

The fattest old rope you have. Retired climbing rope is fine. You may also want to play around with adding knots or daisy chaining the rope to make it thicker or easier to grab. 

If you have old climbing rope laying around, use that but put some knots in it.   If buying something new, go for large twisted rope like you used to climb in gym class.  To actually hang onto relatively thin climbing rope without knots in it, you have to be quite strong.

The most common rope used for rope swings is a 1-2" polyester combo rope, holds up well outside. You can get it cut to length at most hardware stores.

The biggest mistake people make is how its tied off, not realizing they are killing the branch.
Preferred method - A Single 1/2" or larger SS I-bolt through the branch with a fat washer and a nylox nut on top. This will not kill the branch, rather the tree will swell around the bolt and be impossible to pull through.
Alt. method - Lasso the branch so when the rope is not weighted it will not strangle the branch. If the rope is lose around the branch, over time the rope will saw through the branch from swinging.

Sam Sala wrote:

did you do that on porpoise?

For sharks! 

Right on thanks for the info

Be sure to watch some of the "rope swing fail" compilations on youtube so you can prevent some of the many, many things that can go wrong

David Bruneau wrote: Be sure to watch some of the "rope swing fail" compilations on youtube so you can prevent some of the many, many things that can go wrong

Or, make sure to film yourself and share!!

Briggs Lazalde wrote:

"yeet" oneself

<3 Briggs

Also, I find that holding onto an 11mm rope or smaller with your hands is just terrible. Tying knots every few feet helps, but I find the best way is to braid the rope. Way less painful to hold onto. Also easier for gumbies with weak hands (read: me)