Stilts

Stilts is a balance discipline in which the artist walks, dances and performs while raised on long poles strapped to the legs. Peg stilts leave the performer balancing on small tips and always moving, while spring and drywall stilts add bounce and stability; heights range from under a metre to several metres.

It demands balance, core strength and confidence, along with careful technique for falling safely. Stilt walking is a mainstay of street theatre, parades and festivals, where towering costumed characters interact with the crowd, and it also appears in circus shows combined with juggling, acrobatics and dance.