Stilts

Walking sticks have their roots in China, where peasants used them to work in swamps, marshes or to ford swollen rivers. That is why the most common type of professional stilts is also called "Chinese". The stilts probably came into circus performances from street theatre, and together with juggling they were one of the most necessary equipment for street performers.

There are three types of stilts: hand-held stilts, which are mainly used for children's workshops, fixed or Chinese stilts and jumping shoes. Jumping shoes allow acrobatic elements such as jumps, straddles or flips.