FAQs
What about the topic of consent?
We have established very clear consensus and rules of conduct that everyone must adhere to. An awareness team is on site and every participant is asked to report any assaults or misconduct directly. Any employee can be a contact person here and will help you. We are also there for you afterwards, even if we can only do something indirectly. So read the rules of conduct in advance and if there are any uncertainties, speak to us about them. Our rules of conduct are constantly being adapted and refined in order to respond to new developments and your feedback.
Do I have to be gay or LGBTQ*+ to participate?
Not at all! Even though we come from the gay community and naturally have many people from the LGBTQ area with us, the majority of participants are on the cis-heterosexual spectrum. But you shouldn't be afraid of contact with the LGBTQ*+ community. Consent and respectful interaction are a prerequisite for everyone, including heterosexuals ;)
How safe are BDSM and Shibari and how do we help to make them safer?
Shibari, like other BDSM practices and types of play, involve risks that can range from minor scratches to short- and long-term minor or medium damage to serious damage or even death. That's why safety is a top priority!
First of all, you should be aware that there is NO such thing as 100% safety. The game always involves risks and you have to be or become aware of them. Everyone should be enlightened, reflective and informed and decide for themselves what risks they want to take and take appropriate safety precautions.
The risk increases with ignorance, high spirits, previous injuries, demanding bondage and some other factors. The risk is reduced with education, training, professional teachers, practice, technology, safety tools, tests and experience, functioning communication, helping hands and many other measures.
We pay particular attention to safety at our event and help you to take appropriate measures within the framework of your safety profile. We therefore offer space for SSC and RACK. However, every participant should have attended a safety briefing at least once and we recommend refreshing this regularly. Reading it again is not a good basis for this. Our workshops also have a very specific safety briefing.
We regularly offer workshops that are specifically dedicated to this topic. On site you will also find the necessary safety equipment and experienced other participants or educators who are available to answer your questions, provide assistance and take appropriate safety measures. Just talk to us if you have any further questions.
At our events we ask you to only play at a level that is safe for you. Familiarize yourself with the safety equipment before you start playing and talk to us if you have any questions!
Is it very loud there?
The respective locations are relatively thin and workshops and private exchanges and games do make their own noises. Accordingly, there are noises there, although we avoid loud music or similar during workshops and breaks. We also always plan places of retreat where you can calm down and relax. These are, for example, the garden, a nearby beach or an empty cell. However, places that are outdoors in particular are sensitive to the weather. Feel free to ask us at the start of the event which places are best suited here. Do I have to be there the whole time? No, the event is an option. If you come later, leave earlier or have to leave in between, that's no problem. You can also come and go several times. You don't have to sign back or sign out. We just ask that you don't disturb the other participants and that you always have your entrance ticket ready. If you do leave, don't forget to settle any outstanding bills beforehand. This may not be possible for some events, for example if we are traveling by boat. What if I have to cancel (at short notice)?
Something can always happen. It's a shame that you're not there, but it's not a big deal. In principle, we will refund the purchase price up to 3 days before the start of the event. Unfortunately, we cannot take back tickets later, unless there is a valid reason, such as if you become personally ill or there is a death in your immediate family. However, it is possible to transfer the tickets.
What about health risks?
There are currently no longer any testing requirements. We also see no reason to impose increased safety precautions on our part. However, we ask all participants to take responsibility for not to appear if they have symptoms of illness. We also ask everyone to regularly inform themselves about sexually transmitted diseases. You will find a link to the current hygiene regulations and health precautions, as well as further links to information pages on our website.
What about safer sex?
Safer sex is a given for us. There are different options and definitions depending on the constellation. But what this means for you is up to you. As long as you agree, we are happy with that too.
If nothing else is discussed, this means sex with a condom. If it is practiced differently afterwards, this is not only a clear violation of our rules, but can also lead to further legal action by the person injured.
If you deviate from sex with a condom, please inform us in advance so that we do not intervene inadvertently.
What about accessibility?
Every location is different and every time we prepare something for you, we make different specifications. So please always ask again before there are any surprises afterwards. theKnast is relatively barrier-free and you should be able to get everywhere in a wheelchair. If you have an assistant, you can of course bring them with you. Please ask whether an extra ticket is required for this or not.
FAQs - ropeXchange
Can I also buy day or weekend tickets at the door?
Of course you can also drop by spontaneously and buy tickets at the door. However, since we send all participants up-to-date information in advance and we have a pre-show on Friday just for day or weekend ticket holders, we would recommend that you buy the tickets in advance. Of course, it can also happen that we are sold out.
What about sex?
We are a sex-positive event and sexual acts, as well as sex itself, are intended and permitted here. However, not everyone wants to experience the sex of other participants, which is why we have defined special areas for this, such as the sex cells. There are also sometimes special workshops on sexual topics. At the evening events, sexual play is allowed anywhere. Experience has shown that the sexual element is kept within a discreet framework and you can easily turn your attention to something else if you don't want to!
All sex and sexual acts and also initiation are consensual and require mutual consent. If consent is withdrawn at any time, any sexual activity is to be avoided. No participant should feel obliged to become sexual at any time.
Does BDSM and other kinky practices besides bondage also take place here?
Yes! We are a kink-positive space and other practices from the BDSM spectrum may also be practiced, such as bondage or Shibari. However, the event is not a hardcore BDSM play party. We therefore ask that you refrain from extreme practices, as well as practices that pose increased risks or can harass other participants. Examples would be needles, hard choking games, loud whip cracking, dirty games or similar. As with sex, we ask participants to retreat to the cells for their private games during the day. At the evening events, you can play anywhere.
Only SSC and RACK games are allowed here. Consent and awareness of risk are the basic requirements. We ask that you refrain from CNC practices or explicitly announce them beforehand so that our awareness team does not accidentally intervene. What do I need to bring? Ropes, carabiners, safety scissors, towels/floor cloth, a mat if necessary, any (emergency) medication you may need, glucose tablets, snacks, water, etc. Drinks can be purchased on site. Who ties whom up? I hope that we can clarify this question quickly, but the rope top ties the rope bottom up. Which gender is the top and which is the bottom should not be a question, but each couple must decide for themselves. Do I also have to let myself be tied up / actively tie myself up? No, you don't have to do anything you don't want to and no one will pressure you to do it. However, we recommend trying both sides out to experience the effect of the action and how to create this effect. Such a role reversal can be a wonderful experience and open your eyes, if only to see how exhausting the other side is ;)
Can I also take part without a partner? Even as a pure rope-bottom?
Definitely! We have some solo participants and also a number of couples who like to swap partners to gain new experiences. So the chances are good, as long as you are not too picky in your choice of partner and come across as likeable. But we can't promise it and we can't play the role of (desired) matchmaker.
But you have the opportunity to get to know other participants in advance and introduce yourselves via our groups on Telegram, JOYclub or FetLife. Maybe something will come of it. But sometimes it helps to look outside, where the selection is usually a bit bigger.
Can I also take part as a beginner?
Absolutely. There is a newbie route especially for beginners. These are several courses that will give you a compact introduction to the essential basics so that you can take advantage of other courses later. There are also many courses that require little or no prior knowledge. Everything you need in these courses will be taught to you directly in the course. But there are also courses where you should already have more practice and experience. The courses are marked accordingly and you can also ask on site specifically for your situation.
At what level does the ropeXchange take place?
The ropeXchange is aimed at beginners and experienced participants. We deliberately avoid high-level courses where professional knowledge is required. Instead, we try to offer a broad spectrum in the middle range and beyond the typical Shibari courses. This way, all participants, including professionals and those with less experience, can have new experiences and take away valuable input.
Is it very loud there?
The respective locations are relatively thin-walled and workshops and private exchanges and games do make their own noises. Accordingly, there are also noises there, although we avoid loud music or similar during workshops and breaks. We also always plan places of retreat where you can calm down and relax. These are, for example, the garden, a nearby beach or an empty cell. However, places that are outdoors are particularly sensitive to the weather. Feel free to ask us at the beginning of the event which places are best suited here.