fear may be one of the other four-letter words in your vocabulary. imagine standing with your toes off the edge of a four-foot plank about 30 feet from ground level and just next to the west side highway. yes folks, we're talking about the trapeze school of new york, where instructor brian mcvickor explains that, "being brave doesn't mean that you aren't afraid. you just learn how to deal with it." then he'll yell out his signature "jump" before letting you go. yes, you're shaking like a leaf. but you're now soaring through the air and hanging by your knees from a swing, and you're wondering how long it'll be before you can try it again.

tanned and shirtless owner jonathan conant opened the trapeze school years ago after selling all that he owned. he bought a trapeze rig, fought for permits and now his outdoor classes are often sold out. for $55 you can learn the ropes (wink) of how to trapeze including doing backflips and being caught in midair from one swing to another by a specialist. just like in the circus. but no worries, this place is netted to the nines and you've got safety straps attached to you to keep you from landing on your face.
the highlight: the 8pm - 10pm class is taught beneath the lights and you can learn to overcome your fear while watching the sunset over the hudson. try it and you can stick to your other four-letter words.

trapeze school
of new york
at the hudson river park
on the west side highway
two blocks south of canal
917.797.1872

www.trapezeschool.com