THALIA Hanging Rope Crossing Module

THALIA is a rope crossing made of five hanging vertical ropes suspended from two horizontal ropes strung between posts 3.0 m apart. The vertical ropes run from 1.2 m to 1.7 m in length, so each hold sits at a different height and the crossing has to be read before it is attempted.

What the module asks of a child

Nothing on THALIA is fixed. Every rope moves when it is loaded, and it also moves when the neighbouring rope is loaded, so a child crossing has to commit weight before knowing exactly where the hold will end up. That is a genuine exercise in motor planning rather than raw strength, and it explains why children repeat this module far more often than a static frame of similar size.

• Five hanging vertical ropes, 1.2 m to 1.7 m long
• Two horizontal support ropes between posts spaced 3.0 m apart
• Stainless steel and plastic connectors
• Reinforced concrete footings

Technical specification

Placing it in a rope trail

THALIA is a standard-span module, which means it shares post spacing and safety area with the other 3.0 m modules in the collection. Modules can therefore be lined up along a single corridor, sharing the same surfaced strip, and swapped or extended in a later phase without redesigning the whole trail.

Installation and surfacing

Footings are 1.0 m deep reinforced concrete and the free height of fall is 2.85 m, so the entire 5.3 x 8.3 m safety area needs an impact attenuating surface to EN 1176-1. Access for heavy plant is required to place the foundations, which is the constraint to check first on a park site reached only by footpath.

Frequently asked questions

How many children can cross at once?

The module is designed for sequential use along the span. Supervisors in school settings usually run it one child at a time, because the ropes interact with each other when loaded at several points.

Do the ropes need retensioning?

The horizontal support ropes are tensioned assemblies and their tension is checked at the periodic inspection required by EN 1176, along with sheath wear where the steel core runs.

Can the height be reduced for younger users?

The module is certified for the 5 to 14 range at the stated free height of fall. Reducing the geometry would change the certified configuration, so it is not something we do on site.