Nik Wallenda’s Final Public Training in Sarasota Prior to June 23’s Grand Canyon #SkyWire Walk

A little rain didn't stop Nik Wallenda during his last public Sarasota training for his June 23 Grand Canyon Walk, June 19, 2013
A little rain didn’t stop Nik Wallenda during his last public Sarasota training for his June 23 Grand Canyon Walk, June 19, 2013

Are you stalking Nik Wallenda? A friend jokingly asked Sunday evening after I uploaded photos from his training. So yeah, counting today, I’ve seen the “King of the Wire” train four times at Sarasota, Florida’s Nathan Benderson Park prior to his Sunday walk across the Grand Canyon.

Nik Wallenda is living the American dream. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013
Nik Wallenda is living the American dream. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Lightning flashed in the distance but it was safe enough for the daredevil to walk the 1,000-something-foot wire, although he seemed to pick up the pace. Ironically, just after 6 p.m., I overheard on the security radio a woman’s voice saying to instruct Nik to slow down because more spectators and supporters were still driving in.

Nik Wallenda takes a short break to answer questions from the crowd. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013
Nik Wallenda takes a short break to answer questions from the crowd. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Once he reached the end, it was raining pretty hard and he removed his custom-made high-wire shoes, see below, which is mother made, and walked back in his white socks. The reason? He didn’t want to stretch the shoes out. What are his shoes made of? Read this post about a Q&A with Wallenda.

Wallenda's mother made the daredevil's high-wire shoes. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013
Wallenda’s mother made the daredevil’s high-wire shoes. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Despite the rain, the crowd stayed. Some thanked him for holding the trainings in Sarasota. Others wished him well. Everyone showed their support by cheering him on.

A young boy shouted, "Are you scared?" during today's Q&A. Wallenda replied,"Very." Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013
A young boy shouted, “Are you scared?” during today’s Q&A. Wallenda replied,”Very.” Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

Compared to his Niagara Falls walk last year, Wallenda told the audience he feels more prepared now than he did last year which is because he has had more time to train on a wire.

Look at the cloud formations and blue sky behind Wallenda. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013
Look at the cloud formations and blue sky behind Wallenda. Sarasota, Fla., June 19, 2013

How to Watch Nik Wallenda Walk Across the Grand Canyon
Wallenda’s walk across the Grand Canyon will air live on Discovery Channel and Discovery.com on Sunday, June 23 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The network is calling the event, “Skywire Live with Nik Wallenda.” Follow the conversation on Twitter with #SkyWire.

Have I mentioned there will be no net and the daredevil will not have a safety harness? The portion of the Grand Canyon he’s walking across is 1,500-foot deep. As Nik Wallenda reminded the crowd, that’s taller than the Empire State Building (that’s 1,454 feet tall).

Devoted Nik Wallenda fans stick around in the rain at Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, June 19, 2013.
Devoted Nik Wallenda fans stick around in the rain at Nathan Benderson Park, Sarasota, June 19, 2013.

Sarasota Block Party
If you’ll be in Sarasota on Sunday, head over to Mattison’s City Grille (1 N. Lemon Ave.) between 7 and 11 p.m. for a free Block Party to cheer Nik Wallenda on. A Jumbotron on Lemon Avenue between Main Street and First Avenue will air Wallenda’s walk live. The family-friendly party will include circus performances and other activities. Visit  www.mattisons.com or www.circussarasota.org for additional information.

Get Social with Nik Wallenda
Be sure to visit Nik Wallenda’s website, Facebook page,, and follow him on Twitter for all the latest information about King of the High Wire.

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Jenn

Jennifer A. Huber is an award-winning travel and outdoor blogger and writer in Southwest Florida. Originally from Buffalo, N.Y., a hiking trail led her to a career path in the tourism industry for more than 30 years. She spent a decade with a park management company in Yellowstone, Death Valley, and Everglades National Parks. She founded the travel blog, SoloTravelGirl.com with the goal of inspiring others to travel alone, not lonely. The unexpected death of her former husband in 2008 reminded her how short life is. His passing was a catalyst for sharing her experiences with the goal of inspiring and empowering others to travel solo. Jennifer holds a Travel Marketing Professional certification from the Southeast Tourism Society, is a certified food judge, member of the NASA Social community, and alum of the FBI Citizens Academy. When not traveling, she is either in the kitchen, practicing her photography skills, or road tripping with her dog, Radcliff.

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