Our last event was a special highlight for us and many of the participants. Like the very first ropeXchange, it took place on a boat, and it’s slowly becoming a summer tradition. The best part? We had the most participants ever since we started hosting these events – a great motivation that shows all the hard work and effort is totally worth it.
Cozy rope sessions in a friendly, familiar group. ropeXchange is a special kind of event, and when it takes place on a boat in the sunshine (with plenty of sunscreen!), equipped with great infrastructure, it can only be amazing – and it really was! It felt like a relaxing bondage vacation at the seaside, only in Berlin!
With almost 30 participants, we broke a new record, but we didn’t lose that intimate and cozy atmosphere. Quite the opposite – it became even more chill, and people had the chance to connect, make new friends, and exchange ideas.
We also included some cool new features that we’ve developed over the past year into the event.
New Highlights: Friday as the Entry Day and Progressive Courses
One of the new features was making Friday the entry day. We offered courses for beginners, where they could learn the basics and take their first steps into the world of Shibari. But of course, there were also options for experienced folks, where they could brush up on their skills or join skill-sharing groups with others.
We wrapped up Friday night with a fun game – the "Rope Connect Challenge" – where participants could bond (pun intended!) and get to know each other in a relaxed, non-competitive way. It was a laid-back, stress-free start to the weekend that everyone loved. But don’t worry if you missed Friday – you could still dive in fully on Saturday.
Another new addition was offering progressive courses.
Normally, we design each course so people can jump in whenever they want. But in the past, that’s made it harder to teach more advanced or complex topics, like intricate rope work that requires some background knowledge. So, it was exciting to see how people reacted to the progressive format. And guess what? Both approaches worked great! Participants could follow the structure as long as it suited them, and when they felt they’d hit their limit for the day or needed a break, they could switch to another course or just chill by the water.
Self-Responsibility as a Key Element
At our events, self-responsibility is super important. Everyone could choose which workshops to attend and when, and we were really impressed with how well everyone managed that. We’d worried some people might push themselves too hard, but that wasn’t an issue at all.
This focus on self-responsibility and reflection, combined with our open format, allowed us to respond to specific needs and questions. We even designed certain courses specifically to address the questions people had. One popular topic, for example, was “How do I keep the tension during rope play?” – which turned into a whole lab session!
A Special Evening Vibe
The evening on the boat had a unique charm. On one side, the stage and tying area, where exciting things were always happening (and where you could jump in anytime), and on the other, the beautiful sunset over the water. In between, a campfire and lovely people having deep conversations!
This time, the Open Stage was mainly used for photo shoots since it was the only area where taking pictures was allowed. Some stunning shots were taken, thanks to Miss Kiki and Tom Delirio, who brought angel wings and created scenes reminiscent of “Dante’s Inferno” and ethereal angelic beings. Another highlight was the show by Arto and Jessi Bloom, where the audience could suggest the next rope technique to be performed – it turned into a super creative and fun performance. There were also great performances from other participants, both big and small highlights.
Sunday: The Grand Finale
Sunday was the real deal. Participants could put together all the exercises they’d practiced on Friday and Saturday and build up to a full suspension. Across the weekend, we offered four workshops all about suspension bondage, each presenting different perspectives and valuable insights from various presenters. Those who felt ready could apply their skills in either full or partial suspensions.
Anyone not into suspensions could join other workshops on topics like intimacy, floor bondage, or skill exchange discussions. It was a full weekend where you could learn everything from basic knots to a full suspension, with plenty of hands-on practice. Not everyone attended every workshop or felt ready to go airborne by the end, which was totally fine! Safety is a huge priority for us, and we had co-educators and spotters on hand during the suspension sessions. Self-awareness and responsible behavior were also key themes throughout, and according to the feedback, that really resonated with the participants.
We wrapped up Sunday with a relaxing end and a group photo for anyone who wanted to join. And just like that, a weekend full of rope adventures came to an end – a weekend of fun and friendships, new skills and knowledge, and lots of positive energy.
Looking Ahead: ropeXchange in November
We’re already looking forward to the next ropeXchange in November! This time, it’ll be back at "theKnast" – with more space and rooms, so we can offer even more workshops and a broader range of topics. One of the main attractions will be a progressive suspension sequence, starting with simple elements and building up to complex aerial transitions – a performance I’ve named "Spider(hu)man." These elements can also be used in floor work and will be taught separately.
There will also be courses on intimacy, connection, sensuality, impact play, self-suspension, bamboo bondage, side suspensions, first aid, chair bondage, and playfighting. More info and the full workshop program you will find here.
And if you feel like offering a workshop yourself, we’d love to hear from you! We’re already planning dates for next year and can’t wait to see your ideas, wishes, and suggestions.
The educators, the ropeXchange team, and I are excited to see you!
Dan
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