The Springtide TK is basically a variation on Gorgone’s original three-ropes TK, but without a lower wrap on the arm and without a full wrap on the upper arm going all across the chest. The diamond part is more clean and it’s a lot more comfortable for people that are sensitive with the lower part of their arms being compressed by the lower wraps.
START WITH THE WRISTS
Tie a normal single-column tie on the wrists.
- Begin by tying the hands in a normal TK (box tie) position.
- This tie accommodates various arm positions preferred by the model, including square, crossed, or slightly low crossed.
- Flexibility in arm positioning ensures comfort and adaptability for the model’s preferences.
LOWER CHEST WRAP
Wrap the rope around the chest, just below the chest line, maintaining a gentle counter-tension to keep the rope in place. Optionally, wrap three times for extra support. Close it with a half hitch.
- Start by wrapping the rope straight around the chest, forming a lower chest wrap rather than a waist rope.
- Avoid placing the wrap too low on the rib cage or waist; aim for a position between these areas.
- Utilise counter-tensions instead of simply wrapping twice to maintain slack in the rope.
- Counter-tensions help in keeping gentle tension without losing control over the rope.
- Consider wrapping three times for extra support, but adjust based on the model’s preference for comfort.
- Complete the wrap by applying a counter-tension (not encircling the body) and securing it with a half-hitch.
SHOULDER WRAP
Loop the rope over one shoulder, catch it on the chest wrap, and maintain slight tension. Make a half-hitch higher on the chest to begin the diamond pattern that we will open later. Continue the process on the other shoulder.
- Begin by going over the shoulder, pulling slightly upwards but avoiding excessive tightness.
- Ensure the wrap remains relatively slack to prevent discomfort.
- Follow the pattern of the third rope in Gorgone’s TK, building the foundation before the upper wraps.
- Catch the chest wrap with a twist and dress the ropes to maintain a neat appearance.
- Apply a tiny amount of tension, pulling slightly away from the diaphragm.
- Avoid pulling too tightly initially, as tension will increase when opening the diamond later.
- Secure with a half-hitch, positioning it high enough to allow for the creation of upper wraps but not to choke the neck.
- Proceed to the back and replicate the principle of the back of traditional TKs’ third rope.
- Hook on one side, then go over and hook on the other side with a half-hitch to ensure equal connection to both sides of the wrap.
BUILDING UPPER WRAPS
Start building the upper wraps by adding a half hitch a little higher up on the back. This avoids the rope laying across nerves in the arm.
- For those preferring a strong V-shape on the back, go straight from the lower wrap and adjust on the return to create a more pronounced V.
- Be cautious with very steep V-shapes as they can compress nerves and be unstable during certain movements.
- To mitigate risks, add a half-hitch slightly higher to start the wrap with a gentler V-shape angle.
- For individuals preferring no V-shape, position the half-hitch even higher to achieve a predominantly straight horizontal line.
- The height of the half-hitch is flexible and can be adjusted based on personal preference and safety considerations.
OPENING THE DIAMOND
Open the diamond by pulling the rope through the wraps, ensuring equal tension on both sides.
- Begin building the first upper wrap by adjusting the shoulders slightly backward to mimic a TK position.
- Start opening the diamond in the front while maintaining tension on both sides to gauge the final tension of the tie.
- Tighten the rope to achieve a similar tension as the upper wrap of a TK, ensuring it is firm but not excessively tight.
- Return behind and perform a lock to maintain tension before moving to the other side.
- Adjust the ropes to ensure equal tension and make a full turn to secure the tension.
- Open the diamond on the other side, ensuring tension parity by checking from the front.
- Return behind and lock either with an L-friction followed by a half-hitch or a half-moon friction in the back.
ADDING UPPER CINCHES (OPTIONAL)
For added stability, add gentle upper cinches, ensuring they’re not too tight and slide smoothly under the arms.
- Consider adding upper cinches for additional stability.
- Since the tie consists of two counter-tensions on the diamond rather than a full wrap, it may lack stability and slide up and down.
- While not always necessary depending on planned positions and suspension angles, light upper cinches can prevent wraps from slipping over the shoulder.
- Apply gentle upper cinches as safety measures, avoiding tightness.
- Slide the rope flat under the arm to ensure no pinching or diagonal lines under the arm.
- Complete the cinches by going behind the stem and making the other cinch.
SECURING THE HARNESS
Lock the harness with additional knots or friction, ensuring stability without excessive tightness.
- Complete the tie by closing it off, perhaps with another half-moon friction.
- While this tie may not be intended for suspension, adding a half-moon friction or a more solid closure if there’s enough rope can provide a finishing touch.
- Consider the overall aesthetics and security when choosing the final closure method.
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Run your fingers through the ropes to ensure comfort and adjust any areas causing discomfort. Finish with a front-to-back movement to loosen the ropes slightly.
- Run your fingers through the neck ropes, ensuring they don’t press on any uncomfortable spots.
- Start from the back to have more space, catching tension and making the final movement from front to back.
- Lay the ropes down in a comfortable spot.
- This action not only adjusts the rope’s placement but also removes elasticity and ensures a comfortable fit.
- Double-check that the ropes are nicely dressed, with no pinching, crossing, or twisting.
- Once confirmed, the harness is complete and ready for use.