April 2025 Retreat

Join us for the inaugural Denver Suspension Collective Retreat, a registrant-only event focused on education and community.

Event Details

This will be the first Denver Suspension Collective Retreat. Please note that this event is not open to the public and for registrants only. Full information and event protocols will be made available upon payment of your registration. This event is drug and alcohol free.

Most suspensions will be accommodated at the retreat but if you think your suspension may require special attention, involve multiple practitioners, or have additional risks for any reason, please contact us to discuss what’s possible.

A consent form will be required by all attendees at the retreat.

• Dates: April 12 — April 14, 2025
• Location: Studio Friction, 740 Lipan St. Denver, CO 80204 (map)
• Registration Required: Closed

Sponsors

This event is proudly sponsored by the following individuals, organizations, and businesses.

Industrial Strength LLC

PurKlenz

Model Metal: Denver Metal Fabrication

Bridget Hall Body Piercing

Mahalia Sol, Third Eye Body Art

Kevin Donaghy, Graphic Designer & Printmaker

Old Souls Network

Schedule

Saturday April 12

Sunday April 13

Monday April 14

Presentations

There will be one class or presentation each morning hosted by one of our volunteer speakers.

• Rigging Fundamentals for Hook Suspension Practitioners

  This course explores the fundamental components that define the load path within a hook suspension environment. It will cover critical topics including load calculations, equipment selection and inspection, proper rigging techniques, and risk assessment.

• Outdoor Suspension: Pack in to Pack out

  This course addresses the unique challenges and thought processes of conducting suspension in outdoor settings. Topics include location scouting, gear selection, environmental impact, anchor point evaluation, and considerations for maintaining proper aseptic technique in field conditions. Participants will learn best practices for risk assessment, public interaction management, site selection, and packing supplies and gear for outdoor conditions.

• Flesh Hook Basics: Selection and Placement

  This course demonstrates various hook options common to body suspension, their pros, cons as well as uses. It will cover hook placement for a select few suspension positions and give facilitators a well rounded approach to selecting the best hook for the suspension. We will also be going over various techniques including holding your hook, manipulating the tissue, and selection of needles.

Venue

We will be hosted by Studio Friction, a rope and aerial centered non-profit community space we have worked with for over a year. Studio Friction is located at 740 Lipan St. Denver, CO 80204.

The following suspension points will be set up:

• 3 Dynamic Indoor Points
• 1 Aerial Rig Outdoor (weather-permitting)
• 1 Cube

Registration & Pricing

Registration includes a full retreat pass, event t-shirt, and two suspensions. You will be emailed an invoice within one week of submitting the registration form. Payment is due 7 days after receiving your invoice in order to reserve the spot in your registration tier listed below. Once payment is received, you will be added to the Facebook attendee group. Registration is non-refundable.

• $250 USD Jan 1 — Jan 31 Introductory Rate
• $300 USD Feb 1 — Mar 31
• Registration closes on April 1, 2025

Accommodation

There is no accommodation included in the cost of registration. Upon registration, you will be added to a Facebook group where you can coordinate shared accommodations with other attendees. The closest hotels are about a mile away and there are many listings on Airbnb near the venue.

Food & Drink

Snacks and light refreshments (all vegetarian, mostly vegan) will be available daily during the event. There are a few restaurants within walking distance, as well as many food delivery options available.

Hooks

We will provide hooks and shackles for most suspensions. Please note that the hooks provided have been used before and have been processed and sterilized in accordance with the City and County of Denver Rules and Regulations for Body Art Establishments.

Some new hooks will be available for purchase at the event but in order to use them there, sterilization must be arranged beforehand. If you have any concerns about previously used hooks or want to arrange to purchase hooks for your suspension at the event, please contact us.

If you bring your own hooks to use at the event, please ensure they are in sterile packages which have not been compromised.

COVID Policy

For everyone’s wellbeing during our retreat, we encourage attendees to take precautions while traveling, including wearing masks, maintaining distance from others when possible, and using hand sanitizer regularly. Upon arrival, anyone experiencing COVID symptoms should notify the organizer or volunteers, who will provide rapid tests as needed.

While we aim to create a comfortable environment for all, participants displaying COVID symptoms may be asked to wear a mask during the event. Hand sanitizer will be widely available throughout the event, but participants are also encouraged to bring hand sanitizer for personal use outside the event.