Hook Suspenders: Ian Hard

What got you into hook Suspension?

I was first intrigued by a photo on the internet of a dude jumping into a cooling tower over in Russia only to be caught by shackles in his back. But it was a chance meeting that I believe was fate. Being served vodka in a Thailand bar by that Russian that gave me the opportunity to do a suspension, and free fall body suspension

How long have you been in the Industry?

Personally I would not claim to be in the industry. The day I did my suspension was my first real look into the practice, I am still yet to see any one else do a suspension. Though I know I will be looking to attend more events in the future.

What are some of your challenges and struggles with hooks?

I can only really speak of the one day I did my free fall suspension. It was such a unique experience. I had never seen any one else do a suspension, be pierced with anything bigger then a normal body piercing needle, let alone to a bungee jump on to piercings. I had to repeat telling myself over and over again I had made a safe calculated decision that I would not regret and that I needed to push through the pain and fear involved. It was unlike doing a sky dive, bungee jump or getting a normal piercing because I didn’t watch any one go before me to know it was 100% safe and legit.

I first had to decide my reasons to try this were the right ones. I wrote down why I wanted to do a free fall suspension the night before, as well as what I planned to gain out of putting myself through the fear and pain. After I had decided that I could do a jump without bailing out, and there was personnel gain I needed to keep reminding my brain these things that night and the next day walking through the jungle to the location of the piercing, suspension and jump. I also had to deal with the reactions of other people. Telling me I was crazy and it would not work. Though I hardly took any noticed, it still did play on my mind a little. I was also scared of what if I decided I could not do it on the day. I’d feel as if I had failed and be embarrassed. Though I think one of the scariest thoughts on my mind was not the pain if the shackles ripped out of my back, but the embarrassment of explaining the scars on my back for years to come if it failed. How do you explain to people you attempted to bungee jump out of a tree with shackles pierced through your skin and explain to them how you considered the fact it would actually work. Years of being mocked would have really sucked some confidence out of my personality and would have made me doubt my abilities and influenced other decisions in the future. This worried me.

On the day, I was all good and confident with just a small amount of fear until the first needle pierced the skin. Thoughts shot into my mind such as “What are you doing? This is insane! This won’t work! Stop now!” Then the second piercing hurt considerably more then the first and that snatched even more confidence from me and really made me doubt myself more. The fear only got worse, and the confidence only got lower from this point. The next moment of intense fear and the next major challenge and struggle would have been doing the first suspension. I was standing next to a cliff over looking an amazing view of the beach and cliffs that I could be climbing, instead I had to shackles in my back and I was about to be hauled in the air by them, apparently for spiritual gain and pleasure. When the skin started to stretch, before I was even off the ground my brain was screaming for me to stop but I needed to meditate through it and positively remind myself that I had all ready made the smart decision and that I could do this. I think in a way it sucked more confidence out of me, though it did assist me have trust for the jump. It is a really hard feeling to explain. At one point I did think my skin was tearing and the right shackle was about to rip out, but apparently that is just part of the stretch feeling. When I was back on the ground I had made the decision to can the jump. Though Stas mentored me so well and continued to remind me that I could do it and that I had experienced the worse part. If it was not for Stas helping me, and my trust in him there is no way I could have jumped after this point with my confidence alone.

Once I was up the tree and ready to jump I was fine, I just knew I had to prepare myself and jump. Not have any hesitation. This I felt ok with.

Another challenge I have had is people’s reactions. I have had mainly positive feedback though there is a lot of negative. It is mainly the ignorance that is a challenge and people not understanding why someone would be interested and find pleasure and spiritual gain out of doing a suspension, or a free fall suspension. I have found though when people are explained more details their opinions are changed. I needed people to know this was not a stunt to look tough or cool, but for my own spiritual gain. It was not just for the cameras!

What do you enjoy about hook suspending?

I enjoy the artistic element, the taboo element, the pain, the excitement and people’s reactions. I love the way people can not only test them selves and their limits, but receive such great mental gains from each practice. I believe suspension assists to open your mind and be more confident and strong headed in other elements of life.

What are some of your future goals?

My life is about pushing my own limits physically and mentally to experience the world in the eyes of our fellow inhabitants by pushing my comfort zone, experiencing other cultures and doing some pretty extreme activities. My goal is to pursue any activities to allow me to become stronger and more knowledgeable in life. I am always recording my journey to inspire others and motivate them to break out of social conditioning and get more out of life. I have no immediate plans for further suspensions, though if it is soon possible to do a suspension BASE jump I would probably join the line to attempt that if I felt I had the skills required. I dare say we will see Stas or someone do BASE suspension in the next few years.

Tell me more about your suspensions

My free fall suspension was crazy. Doing a bungee with body piercings really is insane next level shit! You are fighting so many demons inside. I was in the jungle, far from a hospital and I had my piercings done on a mat underneath a dead palm tree. Once I was ready to jump I had to climb a dodgy ladder made of 2 ropes and bits of tree branches to make a ladder. It would swing around and I could feel small amounts of tension on the hooks. Once at the top of the climb I had to make sure I balanced well and did not slip. This was possibly the most dangerous part of the whole day, a slip here could have torn the shackles from my skin and given me some serious injuries. Once at the top I then and to make sure all cameras were rolling because I wanted to share this experience. After I knew everything was set I was able to relax (slightly) and go into my own pure state of mind. Nothing in the world mattered at that moment. All I was focused on was the jump. This is one of the most amazing feelings and why I love similar sports so much. It is a state of meditation. I was not fussed about any one watching me or cheering me on, or even the opinion of Stas behind me holding the rope ready for me to jump. It was pure bliss. I basically told my self I can do this, and it was time to go, keep my head up and jump in the correct position. I did a 3 2 1 CYA loud count to prompt myself when to jump and alert others. I got sensory overload once I had left my perch on the tree. I know there was a feeling of excitement and happiness once I realised I had survived. Though I think the shock and pain freaked me out and I wanted to have my feet on the ground instantly to have the full feeling of success and safety. I felt I could not celebrate until I was on the ground. Once on the ground I had an adrenaline rush like I have never experienced before. I was so happy, so proud and all giggly like I was high on drugs. I could not stop giggling and smiling and touching my face like a raver in a techno club. Since the suspension I have been even more positive and happy in life then I was before. I feel stronger and as though I have proved to myself I can be strong in stressful situations when required. It was probably the most amazing experience of my life, I feel it will be hard to top that feeling.