Swinging beyond limits with Sarah the Aerialist
In conversation with Sarah Visser—known to her audience as “Sarah the Aerialist”—it’s clear her journey isn’t the standard smooth sail to success. From a kid cartwheeling on a playground, to a swinging trapeze artist braving 30-foot heights, her path is a dynamic, aerial story that’s still unfolding. Her journey began at age nine, when her mom signed her up for gymnastics. What started with recreational classes soon grew into competitive gymnastics, a world where she was immersed until her late teens.
But gymnastics, as it turned out, was only the beginning. In her early twenties, Visser’s father gave her tickets to Cavalia, a travelling circus that pairs aerial arts with equestrian acts. “I was mesmerized,” she recalls. “I remember reading the pamphlet and wanting to join the circus so badly, even if that meant being a tent cleaner.” Her father suggested she aim to be the star, instead. That push led Visser to Edmonton’s Firefly Theatre and Circus, where she began training in aerial silks. She started casually, balancing her circus training with massage therapy school, until a pamphlet for École Nationale de Cirque (ENC) in Montreal sparked a new dream.
Determined to refine her craft, she auditioned for both ENC and École de Cirque du Québec, neither of which accepted her. Undeterred, Visser sold her belongings, moved to Quebec City and ultimately convinced the school to give her a second chance. Her persistence paid off, landing her a spot in their preparatory year. It was here that she discovered swinging trapeze, an art form that would become her signature. “Swinging trapeze isn’t flying trapeze,” she clarifies. “There’s no net, just a loose belt around my waist and a puller on standby.” Her decision to specialize in this high-risk discipline required another audition, a few hours to learn the basics, and a heartfelt letter to convince the school she was ready. “For some reason, they took a chance on me,” she says.
Training with Victor Fomin, the creator of swinging trapeze, marked a high point in Visser’s journey. She recalls the gruelling weeks of working multiple jobs, writing grants and making every effort to afford the expensive training sessions with Fomin. “He’s the best there is,” she says with evident respect. But then, a career-threatening setback hit. In late 2021, Visser suffered a severe concussion during a training session, an accident she describes as “devastating.” Forced to take an eight-month hiatus, she returned to Edmonton to recover and regroup.
Visser is nothing if not resilient. Today, she’s back on stage, performing acts ranging from dance trapeze to fire aerial hoop. Her career highlights include performing in a Spiegel tent at K-Days and a dazzling set at the Calgary Stampede, showcasing her versatility with both fire and trapeze. Each performance, she says, is about connecting with the audience, making sure that every lift, swing, and drop resonates.
And while the highs (sometimes literal) of her career are thrilling, the physical toll is undeniable. “I’m always on a heat pad,” she laughs, recounting her nightly routine of massages and rest between gigs. Now, her eyes are set on a new goal: a long-term contract, ideally on a cruise ship. “It would be amazing to have stability, performing the same act night after night,” she muses. After years of one-off gigs, constantly creating new acts, Visser dreams of consistency—a chance to master an act rather than reinvent it.
Places To Be
See this month's local flavours, products, and services.
