National Circus School of Canada selects SMC to supply its carabiners

The National Circus School of Canada (www.enc.qc.ca) is renowned as one of the world’s foremost institutions for teaching the circus arts. Founded in 1981 by actor and circus artist Guy Caron and top gymnast Pierre Leclerc, NCS quickly grew into a truly international institution. As a pioneer in the renaissance of the circus arts in Canada and North America, the NCS contributed directly to the emergence of such companies as the Cirque du Soleil (www.cirquedusoleil.com) and Cirque Eloize (www.cirque-eloize.ch). Circus artists of today are called upon to be both creators and performers; consequently creativity and artistic exploration are at the core of their education. For this reason, instruction at the NCS is based on a multidisciplinary approach to the circus arts, integrating other performing arts such as dance, acting and music with mental and physical fitness and agility.

Every year a dedicated team of more than 40 trainers, teachers, lecturers and artistic consultants, work with about 100 students from around the globe. This student/teacher ratio ensures that students develop solid artistic and acrobatic skills while training at the NCS. Both the extracurricular preparatory and secondary arts-study programs allow young people ages 9 to 17 to begin professional training while continuing their studies. The only school of its type in North America, the NCS offers a college-level program covering three years and leading directly to a professional career. A testament to the quality of education offered by the NCS is that more than 90% of students who complete the diploma programs find employment within the first months following graduation. Further NCS students have earned over 40 awards from their participation in prestigious international festivals throughout North America, Europe and Asia.

Located in Montreal, the NCS is a spacious, custom-constructed quarters in the heart of Tohu, also known as the “City of Circus Arts.” Consisting of more than 7,200 square meters, the building is a wonderful example of form following function and is specifically designed to provide state-of-the art professional training in the circus arts. The new facilities cater to all disciplines and the NCS provides a unique learning environment while constantly promoting safety. It is not by mere chance that carabiners made by Seattle Manufacturing Corporation are used at the NCS. The NCS choose SMC Extra Large Steel carabiners to meet to their requirements for a high-strength, safe and reliable connection with the very large diameter (35mm) ropes used in trapeze and arial rigging including one of their most popular disciplines know as the Flying Cloud. There can be no room for error when assembling a system either for training or in a performance setting so only the highest quality carabiners are used at the NCS.

“We are proud to know that the NCS recognizes the quality that is designed and built into our carabiners,” expressed Mark Harman, Sales and Marketing Manager for SMC. “Our products are used extensively throughout the entertainment industries of film, theater and television. The NCS and Cirque du Soleil are two prestigious institutions that rely upon our products,’ concluded Harman.

Founded in 1967, SMC is a leading manufacturer of mountaineering, work-related and technical rescue gear. The SMC brand is synonymous with impeccable product quality, technical expertise and the company’s long-standing commitment to insuring the safety of people using gear made by SMC. From the beginning, professional and sport climbers, mountaineering guides, rescue personnel and industrial safety professionals around the world have confidently and consistently relied upon SMC products. For more information on SMC, and the company’s products, visit their website, www.smcgear.net or call them at 1-800-426-6251.

All photographs are courtesy of Maxime Côté ©2006