HENRI JULIEN RECHATIN
1974, 1975
(Survived)
Henri Julien Rechatin, born in France in 1932, was an experienced high wire performer. In 1967, Rechatin made several proposals to conduct high wire acts across the Niagara River, which were all refused by the Niagara Parks Commission.
Henri Rechatin and his wife returned to Niagara Falls in 1975. His proposal to be the first person to remove a straitjacket while hanging upside down from a helicopter while hovering over the falls was again rejected by the authorities.
On June 3, 1975, Henri Rechatin began a chair balancing act on a wooden platform on the outer edge of the Skylon Tower observation deck, which is 160 meters above the ground.
The first chair was placed on the wooden platform nearest the outer edge. A second chair was placed on top of the first so that only the rear legs of this chair were touching the seat of the first chair. Rechatin sat on the second chair and remained balanced for 30 seconds.
The very next day on June 4, 1975, Henri Rachatin, his wife Janyck and motorcycle driver Frank Lucas of Toulouse, France, assembled at the southern terminal of the Spanish Aero car. Without permission, the trio began the crossing.
Lucas began to drive his specially modified motorcycle on the existing cable. It had a metal frame constructed above it so that Rechatin could stand above it and a metal frame below it so that Janyck could hang upside down by one of her feet. This crossing had been well planned in advance.
In May of 1976, Henri Rechatin arranged to perform a 15-day wire walk endurance test on Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls. During his last performance, Rechatin carried a woman across the wire on his back.
Rechatin died at the age of 82 on December 27, 2013, in Saint-Etienne, France.
Mississauga To Niagara Falls Day Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
Mississauga To Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
Niagara Falls Canada Helicopter Tour
Toronto To Niagara Falls Day Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
Toronto To Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
Oakville To Niagara Falls Day Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
Oakville To Niagara Falls Day and Evening Tour (Small Group. Includes Boat Cruise & Wine Tasting)
