Watch Niagara Falls Tightrope Walker, Nik Wallenda, Tonight [Live Video]

Today, Nik Wallenda will become the first person in more than a century to walk across a tightrope (with permission) over Niagara Falls.

The AFP reports that thousands of people have made their way to Niagara Falls to watch Wallenda’s daredevil attempt. Wallenda is confident about his chances, but at the same time, says that a lot of the stunt is out of control.

Wallenda said:

“I’ve done walks higher, I’ve done walks longer, but none will compare to this… We’re dealing with mother nature. And she, at times, can be unpredictable.”

Fox News reports that Wallenda will walk over an 1,800 foot long, 2-inch steel cable over the falls. Since the rope is over water there is no way to secure it to make sure that it doesn’t swing.

But death isn’t an option during today’s stunt. At least, Wallenda is taking every precaution to make sure he lives to tightrope walk another day. ABC will be broadcasting the event tonight and the network insisted that the tightrope walker wear a harness. Wallenda will wear a harness attached to a small trolley that will trail behind him as he walks.

Wallenda said:

“(ABC) wanted to promise their viewers Nik Wallenda will not lose his life… It doesn’t keep me on the wire, it keeps me safe from falling. I still have to stay on top of that wire.”

Here’s a video of Wallenda talking about his Niagara Falls tightrope walking attempt.

Wallenda’s stunt will be broadcast live on ABC. You can also watch a livestream of his Niagara Falls tightrope attempt below.

Wallenda, by the way, refuses to call his daredevil act a stunt.

Wallenda said:

“I see a stunt as somebody who gets in a barrel and goes over the edge and hopes they don’t hit a rock. What I do is very calculated. I train a long time for it and I consider it more of an art. I guess I don’t get offended by them calling it a stunt but to me it’s more of an art than anything…. I’ve been walking wire since I was two years old. It’s very natural to me, very normal… The first step’s the hardest, but once I’m on that wire I’m committed and I’m going to make it to the other side.”

The live stream of Nik Wallenda’s Niagara Falls Tightrope walk attempt begins at 8:00 CST.