July 20th 2024.
Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus have a unique and thrilling occupation - they climb skyscrapers for a living. But for this daring couple from Moscow, Russia, their idea of a romantic date goes beyond the traditional dinner or movie night. Instead, they prefer to scale the world's tallest buildings without any equipment.
Both Angela and Ivan were passionate 'rooftoppers' with a growing presence on social media when they decided to join forces. As they say, love knows no boundaries, and it soon blossomed between them. However, their relationship has not been without its challenges. In the early days, they found themselves spending a night in prison in Paris after climbing the Notre Dame cathedral. They also made it halfway up the Eiffel Tower before being caught by security. But these were just small adventures compared to what was to come.
Their ultimate date was climbing the Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, which stands at a staggering 2,228 feet tall and is the second tallest building in the world. It took months of meticulous planning and practice for the couple to perfect the swan lift, which they would perform 118 floors above the ground. In an interview via Zoom, Angela and Ivan shared that despite their years of experience and becoming full-time 'rooftoppers', they were still amazed by the serene and quiet atmosphere hundreds of meters above the bustling city.
Angela recalls the moment they reached the top of the building, "I remember hearing absolute silence and our own breathing. It was such a surreal feeling of being alone on top of the world with no one around and nothing in sight." Completing such a seemingly impossible task was a humbling and exhilarating experience for the couple.
However, their daring escapades come with great risks. Many of their friends in the 'rooftopping' community have lost their lives while attempting dangerous stunts. This reality makes Angela and Ivan nervous, as they constantly receive news of another rooftopper's death. Despite this, they maintain that they never attempt overly risky moves, such as hanging off buildings with one hand. Ivan explains, "To the untrained eye, it may seem the same, but what we do is not as dangerous."
Their own experiences have also been filled with close calls and terrifying moments. Angela recalls a particularly scary incident while crossing a beam over a 70-storey drop in Hong Kong. "I lost my balance out of nowhere, but I was able to recover quickly because of my sense of balance. It was a pretty scary moment." Such moments have taught them to be cautious and take things slow, rather than rushing and putting themselves in danger.
As their popularity on social media grows, so does the criticism and backlash. The couple often receives comments from concerned parents who believe they are setting a bad example for their children. In response, Angela states, "Your children are your responsibility, and I am only responsible for my own life."
Despite the risks and criticism, Angela and Ivan have no plans of retiring from 'rooftopping.' They feel that their relationship would be rather dull without their shared adventures. "We're a match made in heaven," they joke. Retirement is not even something they contemplate, as they prefer to live in the present and decide their plans day by day.
Their next climb is already in the works, but they refuse to disclose any details to avoid heightened security measures. As their Netflix documentary, Skywalkers: A Love Story, gains popularity, the couple acknowledges that fame could potentially ruin their greatest love - 'rooftopping.' Their solution? "We might have to start wearing masks or special disguises," they say with a laugh. Skywalkers: A Love Story is now available to stream on Netflix.
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