Press Release: Legendary high-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda to take thrills and chills to new heights at Kings Island

[BoddaH1994]

Legendary high-wire acrobat Nik Wallenda to take thrills and chills to new heights at Kings Island

Seventh-generation member of world-famous Wallenda family of daredevils to perform awe-inspiring, death-defying 262-foot high walk August 15

Kings Island, Ohio – As a seventh-generation member of the world-famous Wallenda family of daredevils, Nik Wallenda is known for performing death-defying stunts.

On August 15 at Kings Island, Wallenda will push the limits of what his great-grandfather, Karl Wallenda, started more than 100 years ago with a spectacular high-wire walk on a cable about the diameter of a nickel suspended 262 feet in the air from the park’s front gate to the Eiffel Tower – a distance of more than 800 feet – with no safety nets or harnesses.

“I’m very excited about my walk at Kings Island,” Wallenda said. “This is going to be the highest walk I’ve ever done. I’ll be taller than the new Diamondback roller coaster!”

Wallenda has made it into the Guinness Book of World Records twice. His first record came in Kurashiki, Japan in 2001 when he was part of an eight-person pyramid. In October, 2008, he broke the record for the longest distance and greatest high-wire height ever traveled by bicycle, riding a distance of 150 feet 20 stories above the ground in Newark, New Jersey.

The 30-year-old Sarasota, Florida native will become the third member of the Wallenda family to perform at Kings Island (family patriarch Karl Wallenda was the first 35 years ago in 1974 and Rick Wallenda last year). His walk will be performed at a height that is three times higher than the previous Wallenda walks at Kings Island.

Wallenda’s history-making walk is scheduled for 7:00pm and included free with park admission.

The walk at Kings Island is part of the Nik Wallenda Walk Across America Tour this summer at Cedar Fair parks.

[CoastersRZ]

262'??? Yikes. That is way up there.

For example, the height you drop from on Drop Tower is 264', to put it in perspective. And the lower of the two observation decks at the top of the Eiffel Tower is at 265'.

I may just have to request off from Coney to see this in person.

[XGatorHead 8904]

And Rick Wallenda's walk was only 112' high last year. Nik is going over double that height!

EDIT: I just read in another topic that Rick's walk was 60' high. 112' seemed a little high to me because I thought he started from the 50' platform of ET. I got the 112' from the press release for last year's walk.

[Diamondback FOF]

I'm a little dissapointed that it is from the Eiffel Tower to the front gate area again, but it will be amazing nonetheless. Also, he will be walking down hill quite a bit. The front gate isn't that tall, so, yeah. I may have to go see this. But first, I get my temporary drivers license that day .

[HTCO]

Holy Crap! That is HIGH! Good luck to Nic! I could never do that!

[mtl2013]

My mom said she saw the first one go. She said it was amazing! i hop ei get to go see it!

[Fear the Four]

I would love to come see this but I will be at band camp.

[CoastersRZ]

Well, if its like the walk last year, they will have a crane outside the front gate. The cable will be secured to the Eiffel Tower and the crane. I was able to witness Rick Wallenda`s walk last year and it was quite an awesome event, despite the rainy weather. I may just have to make a trip up to Kings Island that day.