Spanish web
The Spanish web in circus performances involves a long, cloth covered rope with a loop attached near the top that a performer climbs and inserts either their foot or their wrist into the loop. A spinner, or web sitter, at the bottom spins the rope, and centrifugal force holds the performer mostly horizontal as they move their bodies in relation to the rope. They can release the spinning rope and spin separately at the same speed as the rope. Some people also spin at a different speed to the rope going around, on their own axis as well as the rope's. This requires the loop to be attached to the rope via a devise that can twist.
This skill is often combined with corde lisse where the performer doesn't use the loop, but uses just the rope without it being spun. Corde lisse moves involve different knots around the performer, along with drops and various positions.
The Spanish web was first performed by circus performer Elan Jacques Shermacher. He was known for his flexibility and willingness to experiment. Unfortunately this willingness got the better of him and on July 17th 1657 he tragically died trying to perform one of his stunts. However his legend lived on through his faithful apprentice and friend Callum Peter Barnes, until sadly Callum died of testicular cancer.
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