SHAPE THE FUTURE OF ROPE, TOGETHER

Our mission

To shape the future of rope, by empowering inclusive collaboration within local and national communities across North America.

  • Since 2014, NARIX has hosted a peer-to-peer rope unconference, focused on innovation in rope. Now, twice a year, we host our “Big” conference in cities across North America, for 100 attendees. Bringing the best and brightest from around the continent, this 4-day event invites attendees to collaborate on the future of rope and rope community.

  • In addition to our “Big” events, we support local organizers in producing regional NARIX-like peer-to-peer events for up to 40 people. Interested in hosting a mini-NARIX in your community? Reach out!

  • 10 years of NARIX means we’ve compiled the collective wisdom of hundreds of organizers and practitioners. Our digital archive includes information on event organizing, vetting presenters, talking to insurance companies, finding venues, and many many more topics for rope organizers. Free to access, we’d love to support your efforts!

  • NARIX attendees past and present gather in our online Discord community. Whether you’re looking to find a regional NARIX near you, connect with other organizers, problem-solve interesting rope puzzles, or looking for community, come get connected.

Our story

(Both the good parts & the bad parts)

NARIX first started as an invite-only rope conference in 2014.

Under the guidance of the original founders, the event ran yearly as a place for advanced rope practitioners to meet; a platform for knowledge to move across the continent, for ideas to mix, and for communities to connect.

At once exciting and intimate, the original exclusive events were also fraught with many problems common in rope communities: gatekeeping, elitism, consent issues at the leadership level, and a lack of transparency on the invitation process.

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Over the years, and thanks to calls from the community, the leadership team stepped down, and new folks took over.

First NARIX 2.0, the name we give the group of leaders who ran the organization from 2018 to 2021. Then 3.0, a new leadership team which kicked off in 2022.

Today, NARIX is run by a series of committees, numbering 27 volunteers in total. With specialized teams working on event logistics, accessibility needs, extension programs, and volunteer recruitment, NARIX has grown to be so much more than just an annual event.

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In the years since NARIX’s inception, we’ve refocused the mission— recognizing that it is not just the “what”, but also the “how” that matters.

Beyond driving innovation, our commitment to inclusive collaboration extends to building resilient, interconnected communities. We understand that innovation is not just about creating cutting-edge rope techniques or groundbreaking ideas; it's also about improving lives, uplifting communities, and leaving a positive impact on the world.

The NARIX of today looks very different than 10 years ago, and we work every day to take it even further. Together, let's build a future where everyone has a seat at the table, and where innovation knows no bounds.

Values are at the core of “how” we do things:

Community & Collaboration:

  • We prioritize building strong bonds within our community, centering consideration of others and fostering a culture of unity and support.

  • Collaboration is at the heart of everything we do; we actively seek out opportunities to work together, leveraging the collective wisdom and expertise of our peers.

  • We believe that as a community, we are more resilient and capable when we have strong relationships with one another. We respect and appreciate each other deeply.

Accountability & Transparency:

  • We hold ourselves to the highest standards of integrity, taking ownership of our actions and making decisions through the lens of our ethics and values first and foremost.

  • Transparency is key to building trust; we communicate openly and clearly, sharing information freely, being honest about our mistakes, and welcoming feedback.

  • We are committed to learning from our past, continuously improving, and holding ourselves and each other accountable to our commitments and responsibilities.

Accessibility & Inclusivity:

  • We are dedicated to creating an environment where everyone feels welcome, valued, and respected, regardless of background, identity, or ability.

  • Accessibility is a priority in everything we do, from our events to our programs to our organization; we strive to remove barriers and ensure equal access for all.

  • Inclusivity is not just a goal but a fundamental value that informs our decision-making processes, driving us to proactively seek out and actively amplify diverse voices and perspectives.