Swinging Tyres

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Traverse a series of suspended tires from start to finish without touching the ground using momentum and coordinated ground spotting.

Use it when: Outdoor challenge courses or certified low ropes installations when a small group has completed basic spotting training and wants a dynamic physical balance exercise.

Skip it when: When certified low ropes equipment or trained supervision is unavailable, when participants lack foundational spotting skills, or when the group requires low-impact, non-physical team tasks.

Group arrangement: Single group at one tire element: one traversing climber, two to four active mobile spotters, and remaining members acting as relief spotters or safety observers.

Timing: UWT suggested duration for a single element with 4 to 8 participants.

Materials and tools

• Certified low ropes course installation featuring a series of suspended tires
• Site-required safety gear (such as inspection log, helmets, and closed-toe athletic footwear)

Before participants arrive

1. Inspect the low ropes installation, including cables, suspended tires, hardware, and safety fall surfacing.
2. Clear sticks, rocks, and obstacles from the active spotting corridor on both sides of the tires.
3. Confirm all participants wear closed-toe athletic shoes and have removed jewelry or loose accessories.

Say this to open

Today we are tackling the Swinging Tyres element. Your goal is to traverse from the first suspended tire to the last without touching the ground. One person traverses at a time while team members act as active spotters on the ground. Stepping off at any point is completely fine. You can reset or trade roles immediately. Everyone chooses their own level of physical participation.

How to run it

1. Demonstrate spotting and establish rotation 5 minutes

   Demonstrate the spotting stance: feet staggered, knees flexed, and hands raised at chest height with thumbs tucked. Spotters guide the climber torso if balance slips rather than catching deadweight. Record the rotation order so everyone who wishes to traverse receives a turn. Assign the remaining group members as active spotters and relief spotters. Confirm non-climbing roles such as pacing coach or safety observer for anyone who opts out of traversing.

2. Run initial traverse attempts 8 minutes

   The first climber mounts the first tire. Spotters take position half a step back on either side of the climber torso, moving laterally as the tires swing. Limit each climber turn to 2 minutes maximum, allowing one immediate reset if an early step-off happens within the first minute. Run the first two climbers through their full turns while spotters maintain disciplined coverage.

3. Rotate climbers and complete turns 13 minutes

   Rotate roles so the remaining participants traverse in sequence, keeping the 2-minute cap per climber. At up to six remaining climbers, this window ensures everyone who chooses to climb receives a primary attempt. Active spotters switch sides or rotate with relief spotters between turns to manage fatigue. If time remains after all climbers have finished, offer brief optional second attempts.

4. Debrief team coordination 4 minutes

   Gather the group safely away from the swing corridor. Select two of the three debrief questions provided to discuss spotting communication, momentum, and team trust. Collect three or four brief observations from the group before concluding the session.

Debrief questions

• What specific cues did spotters use to anticipate the climber movement without restricting the swing?
• When a traverse felt unstable, what communication or physical adjustment helped you regain control?
• How did having attentive spotters beside you affect your willingness to commit to the next tire?

Finished output: Completion of traversing attempts by participating climbers and a shared review of spotting coordination.

Remote

This activity requires physical ropes course apparatus and direct hands-on peer spotting. It cannot be run remotely. As a non-physical alternative exploring team risk management, facilitate a digital consensus-building scenario in video breakout rooms.

Hybrid

Not runnable in a hybrid setup. Remote participants cannot spot or experience the physical dynamics safely.

Access and participation choices

• Participants may opt into non-traversing roles such as ground spotter, pacing coach, or safety observer without personal disclosure.
• Climbers may step down at any point or choose to traverse only the first two tires rather than the full span.

If the session gets stuck

Spotters stand too close and collide with the swinging tires or the climber legs.

Remind spotters to keep a half-step buffer with raised, ready hands, tracking alongside the climber rather than crowding the swing line.

A climber stalls halfway across and cannot generate enough swing to reach the next tire.

Prompt the climber to use small hip shifts to build momentum, or have spotters steady the current tire so the climber can dismount safely.

Terms used here

• Spotter: A participant stationed on the ground beside an elevated climber, positioned with raised hands to guide the torso if balance is lost.
• Traversing element: A ropes course obstacle where participants move horizontally from point to point rather than climbing vertically.