Nik Wallenda
Aerialist, Daredevil, and High Wire Artist - Tightrope Walked Across the Grand Canyon
Biography
"What is the purpose of your trip sir?" the passport agent asked. "To inspire people around the world to follow their dreams and never give up," Wallenda said. Spoken as he fulfilled his life-long dream of becoming the first person to walk a wire directly over Niagara Falls on June 15, 2012, Nik Wallenda not only joined the ranks of legendary daredevils, he proved to an audience of over 13 million that no obstacle is too great to overcome in pursuit of one’s dreams. The heart-pounding event took two years of strategic planning which included geological surveys, engineering feats and political lobbying of U.S. and Canadian officials to change laws in both countries that, for the past 116 years, banned daredevil stunts at Niagara Falls. Walking directly over the 600,000 gallons per second roaring over the Horseshoe Falls, he battled wind swells and dangerously thick mist at the center of the falls, before emerging to the delight of 120,000 fans on the Canadian side awaiting his arrival. In June of 2013, his inspiring biography, Balance: A Story of Faith, Family & Life on the Line, hit shelves in major book stores throughout the country. In his book, Nik chronicles the challenges and triumphs not only of the walk over Niagara Falls, but also of his incredible life journey from circus performer to world renowned daredevil. On June 23, 2013, Nik completed yet another life-long dream, this one 6 years in the making, becoming the first person to cross the Grand Canyon on a wire. His network partners, Discovery Channel, allowed Nik to undertake the walk in the Wallenda family tradition, completely untethered, and broke new ground as a network, broadcasting the event live in 183 countries. At a height of 1,500 ft above the Little Colorado River, Nik faced the challenges of wind gusts measured at 48 miles per hour, optical illusions of the canyon walls, and a dusty and precariously moving cable. Viewers listened breathlessly as Nik described the intense conditions he faced to Terry, his father and safety coordinator, and his Uncle Mike, his lead engineer, and also as he thanked God and prayed for peace in the midst of adversity as he travelled the distance of 1,300 hundred feet across. After nearly 23 minutes on the cable and realizing the end was in sight, he began to thank those that had made the walk possible, before kneeling to the cable, saluting his fans, and sprinting in the final distance to the waiting arms of family and friends. Through television and other media outlets, the event reached an audience of 23 million in the U.S. along, and millions more worldwide, setting viewing and social media records in the process. Revealing only days later the added adversity of battling and being treated for a severe cold the day of the event, Nik once again exhibited his motto, Never Give Up, and continued in his mission to inspire those around the world to pursue their dreams. Nik Wallenda is the seventh generation of Great Wallendas who trace their roots back to the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1780. For Nik, every walk is an expression of honor to his great grandfather, the legendary Karl Wallenda who brought the Wallendas to America for The Greatest Show on Earth. During the depression era, his crowning achievement was the seven-person chair pyramid: four men standing on a wire as two pairs with two more men standing on their shoulder bars holding a woman sitting, then standing on a chair at the top of the pyramid. The Wallendas successfully performed it for decades until January 30, 1962 when, in Detroit, the front man on the wire faltered and three men fell to the ground, two to their deaths. Karl Wallenda’s son was paralyzed. Karl continued performing "Sky Walks," walking between buildings and across stadiums, including Busch, Veterans, JFK, 3 Rivers Stadiums and the Astrodome, among others. His most famous walk was a 1200-foot long trek across the Tallulah Falls Gorge in Georgia, where 30,000 people watched as the 65-year-old legend performed two separate headstands at a height of over 700 feet in the air. Sadly, during a high wire walk in San Juan, Puerto Rico in March 1978, Karl Wallenda, age 73, fell to his death. It was not because of his age, capabilities, or the wind that day, but because of bad rigging, a reason Nik Wallenda and his father always oversee every inch of rigging themselves. Nik Wallenda was “performing” on a high wire before he was born; his mother, Delilah Wallenda, was still walking the high wire six months pregnant with him. Nik’s official first performance was in 1981 at age 2 as a tiny clown carried around in a pillow case. He also began walking the wire that same year but was not permitted to perform professionally on a high wire until age 13. In 2001, he set his first world record in Kurashiki, Japan for the 4 layer 8 person pyramid on a high wire. On June 4, 2011, Nik Wallenda successfully completed the high wire walk in San Juan that his grandfather had never completed -- a 135-foot-long high-wire crossing between the two towers of the ten-story Condado Plaza Hotel. Stunning the crowd, Wallenda's mother, Delilah joined him on the high wire, mother and son starting at opposite ends. When Delilah reached the middle of the wire, roughly the spot Karl had fallen, she sat down on the wire and Nik stepped over her before the two continued to opposite ends of the wire. Before finishing, Nik knelt down on the wire and blew a kiss in honor of his great-grandfather's memory. After the feat, Wallenda said he was "not scared at all," but admitted that the circumstances of Karl's death had haunted him for years. "To be able to walk in his exact footsteps is an extremely huge honor, and I did this for him as much as I did it for my family to get some closure." Perhaps not for everyone. Immediately after the Niagara Falls high wire walk, Nik phoned his grandmother, Karl Wallenda’s daughter who had told him she was too frightened to watch. The Niagara Falls walk marked Nik Wallenda’s seventh world record, including one for the highest and longest bike ride on a wire which he performed from Newark, N.J. live on NBC’s Today Show October 15, 2008. The walk over the Grand Canyon added an 8th world record to his achievements. By his side throughout is the beautiful Erendira, the high energy circus performer he married after his 1999 proposal from the high wire, on bended knee in front of 18,000 in Montreal, Canada. Erendira is also circus royalty. On her mother’s side, she is the eighth generation of the Ashtons of Australia, the third oldest circus family in the world. On her father’s side, she is the seventh generation of the Vazquez trapeze artists from Mexico, known worldwide as the first to successfully complete the quadruple somersault. Nik and Erendira have three children: Yanni, Amadaos and Evita who, remarkably, have DNA passed down from 25 generations of circus performers. Up next, Nik Wallenda is already in the planning stages of his next death-defying televised wire walk. In the meantime, he has become a highly sought after speaker, sharing his inspiring stories of his walks and life at churches, conferences, and corporate events; and he continues performing daredevil stunts around the world, without any safety devices, including an October skywalk at a Charlotte Motor Speedway NASCAR event, the “wheel of death,” hanging by his jaw from a helicopter. He and his wife also produce full shows ranging from private parties and corporate events to theatre shows, amusement parks and fairs.
Speech Topics
Balancing on the Wire
What does it take to walk a wire across the expanse of the Grand Canyon... the precipice of Niagara Falls... the busiest intersection in the world, Times Square... the active Masaya Volcano in Nicaragua? Only one man in the world can answer these questions, Nik Wallenda. Nik is a 7th generation wire walker and entertainer who has walked a wire over some of the most recognizable skylines and natural wonders in the world, but wire walking skill alone would not let him stand in places no other person on earth can claim. Balancing on the wire was preceded years before by balancing the interests and expertise of a team of business, legal, artistic, & technical minds to make these stunts possible. Behind the scenes, special permissions were made, unique technical rigging was designed, and countless decisions were made, successful & unsuccessful, with immense financial and logistical impact, and others literally impacting life or death on the wire.
Videos
Books
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I check Nik Wallenda's availability or request a quote?
You can inquire about Nik Wallenda's availability or get a customized quote by contacting Key Speakers directly. Our team will help you determine fit, logistics, and budget options for your upcoming event.What is Nik Wallenda's speaking fee?
The typical range for Nik Wallenda's speaking fee is $20,000–$25,000. The low end of the fee range represents their standard virtual fee. The high end of the fee range represents their standard fee for a US-based in-person speaking engagement. Appearances which require an extended schedule of activities or international travel will possibly exceed this fee range. Speaker fees update frequently. To receive a personalized quote for Nik Wallenda to speak at your event, please consult with a Key Speakers advisor for up to date information and assistance.What factors influence the speaker's fee?
Other factors that influence a keynote speaker's fee include their reputation, expertise, demand, experience, duration of the presentation, travel requirements for the event location, and any additional services, activities or customization options they offer.Are travel expenses included in the speaker's fee?
Travel expenses are typically not included in the listed speaker's fee and are quoted separately. If the speaker needs to travel internationally, fees will be higher. These expenses may include airfare, accommodation, ground transportation at home and in the event city, and meals. We can provide more detailed information about travel expenses and arrangements once you've selected a speaker.How do I book Nik Wallenda for my event?
The speaker booking process typically involves the following steps: contact Key Speakers to confirm Nik Wallenda's availability, fees, and any unique requirements (we can also help negotiate fees and terms); submit a firm offer to extend the invite to your speaker, with the details used to create an agreement once the speaker accepts; coordinate and finalize the terms of the booking, including contract terms and conditions; and confirm the booking by signing the contract and making the necessary payments.What types of events do keynote speakers typically speak at?
Keynote speakers can speak at a wide range of events, virtual or in person, including conferences, corporate meetings, industry conventions, seminars, workshops, fundraising galas, educational programs, and other special occasions where an inspirational or informative address is desired.How do I select the right keynote speaker for my event?
When selecting a keynote speaker, consider the following factors: the speaker's expertise and knowledge relevant to your event's theme or industry; their speaking style, ability to engage the audience, and deliver impactful messages; past client testimonials, reviews, or references; and the speaker's availability and fee within your budget.What are the payment terms and conditions?
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Often, yes. It's worth inquiring about such possibilities with your Key Speakers representative to explore any available cost-savings options.Why book Nik Wallenda through Key Speakers?
We provide a comprehensive service that takes the guesswork out of hiring a speaker — from speaker selection to logistics to post-event feedback. We know you have lots of responsibilities on top of finding and coordinating event speakers, so having a committed and proactive partner on your side that is an expert with the talent booking process is crucial. Every time you book a speaker with Key, your dedicated events manager will support you throughout the entire planning process. We help you negotiate contractual details such as speaker fees and travel terms so that you end up with the most favorable deal. With our highly communicative booking and proposal model, you'll never be left in the dark with the status of your speaker. To put it simply, Key Speakers is your one-stop resource for finding, booking and managing speakers for your event.
Speakers Like Nik Wallenda
Patrick Sweeney
•Wall Street Journal Best-Selling Author, Fear is Fuel.” • 4x Technology Entrepreneur • 3x World-Cup & Olympic-Level Athlete • World-Record Holder • Cancer Survivor • He teaches the the neuroscience of fear, courage, leadership and risk taking
Fee Range: $10,000–$25,000
Travels From: MA
Sugar Ray Leonard
Legendary sports icon, Olympic champion and Hall of Famer, philanthropist, bestselling author, television personality, ringside analyst and longtime face of Skechers’ popular Relaxed Fit collections, Sugar Ray Leonard has established a legacy that epitomizes boxing and invokes the reverence of a champion. Sugar Ray Leonard’s raw and uplifting memoir reveals in intimate detail for the first time the complex human who waged his own personal battle with depression, rage, addiction and greed, that lay behind the champion.
Fee Range: Inquire
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Natalie Stavas
• Award Winning Harvard Physician, Mentor, Runner, International Humanitarian; went from Runner to First Responder in the 2013 Boston Marathon Bombing • Featured on the cover of Runner’s World Magazine and Sports Illustrated; on CNN, BBC, CBC, Fox News; in the New York Times, LA Times, The Boston Globe, Time, The Huffington Post, and People • Named 2013 Bostonian of the Year by The Boston Globe; Recipient of the 2012 Change Maker Award from The Boston Foundation; named one of “Boston’s Best” by Improper Bostonian magazine • Contributor to the CDC; Medical Correspondent; Mentor for Sole Train, a non-profit guiding inner-city youth on a path towards their full potential through running • Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Department of Pediatrics Wellbeing/Work-Life Integration Specialist; Masters in Health Policy
Fee Range: $17,000–$25,000
Travels From: CA
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