|
In
this hectic, busy, world that we live in, most of us are content
to get from A to B with the minimum of fuss.
There
are others however, who are not.
Welcome
to the world of Parkour, or Free Running as others call it, the
latest extreme sport to hit the UK.
Imagine
using everyday obstacles in your path - railings, steps, bollards
and walls - to perform tricks and stunts and you're close to the
essence of Free Running. In simplified terms it's jogging meets
gymnastics.
The
movement was started by Frenchmen David Belle and Sebastien Foucan
and since its creation, Parkour has gone global.
The
sport received further coverage in the UK from the TV programmes
Jump London and Jump Britain.
In
them, Free Running enthusiasts - or traceurs - displayed their amazing
skills. The nation was suitably impressed.
Parkour,
however, is not merely about leaping off things. It encourages participants
to channel their energies into becoming focused, graceful individuals.
Everything
is viewed as an obstacle that can be used to create movement. Take
the obstacles infront of you and hug them, climb them, get over
them, jump them, let your imagination flow... you’re now doing
parkour.
Traceur
Stephane Vigroux gives his views on the sport. "It teaches
me not be scared in life, when new situations come to me, I deal
with them calmly, like I would do before a new jump."
You
might not be surprised to hear then that there is a fledgling Parkour
fanbase here in Shropshire. So what better than to get in touch
with them and go and give Free Running a try?
Saturday
16th March...
My
colleague Trystan, photographer for the day, and I waited in the
rain at Shrewsbury Train Station for our nine free runners to arrive.
My
usual athletic excellence had deserted me after a night in the pub
the previous evening. My reactions were as sharp as a balloon.
Our
free runners turned up right on time at 11am and we were all introduced
by Craig, the man who had orginised today's meet.
Some
of the group had travelled from Bishop's Castle while others had
caught the train from Telford.
 |
|
And
for my next trick...
|
It
was decided that the first thing to do was to go and get something
to eat so we all headed to a local bakers to stock up on pastry
products. I wonder whether a sponsor deal could be agreed - Parkour:
Just Dough It.
After
refueling it was off to our first location: The Quarry Park. On
the way I chat with 17 year old Tom about his love of Parkour.
"It's
a great sport. I also do the martial art Wing Chun, and Parkour
is really similar; it's explosive."
I ask
him if he considers the sport to be dangerous.
"You
get knocks but you just have to get back up and give it another
go."
It's
not just falling over that can injure you when trying Free Running.
Mothers can be dangerous too, as Craig, 14, explains:
"I
practice round the house sometimes, doing handstands and other stuff
but my Mum gets pretty annoyed, so I just stay out of her way!"
Once
at the Quarry Park, the group show me some tricks. They jump off
walls and steps and some of the stunts they show me are fairly impressive.
I decide
to just observe from the sidelines due to the fact that I wouldn't
want to show these boys up. Or be sick.
 |
|
Parkour in the park.
|
There's
a good amount of banter between the group and a small amount of
egging each other on but what stands out the most is that they all
know their limits and never put themselves in undue danger.
The
group are also great respecters of other people. Several times during
the day proceedings are halted to allow members of the public to
pass by safely.
The
lads rarely stay in one place for very long - afterall, parkour
is principally a journey. Soon we move on, but not before my colleague
Trystan wows everyone by hanging upside down from a scaffolding
pole. You just can't take him anywhere...
We
head off towards the river. "Are you going to have a go then?"
Matt asks me. Oh dear. I thought that might happen.
I join
in an attempt to run up a 12 foot high wall, but with little success.
Craig offers me some coaching:
"Don't
run flat out at it. Jog up to it on the balls of your feet then
explode up the wall."
I'll
be honest with you. I didn't like the sound of that. Amazingly,
though, his tips worked. Immediately, I was able to get my fingertips
on to the top of the wall.
 |
|
Adam
(left) gives it a go.
|
However,
my feelings of pride in my own athletic abilities were soon overshadowed
by 14 year old Ben as he ran at another wall and flipped 360 degrees
backwards.
A small
group of people applaud Ben's fantastic performance - quite rightly
too.
At
the end of a superb day I gather the lads at a car park for a final
look into the world of Parkour.
They
reveal that at the moment Parkour is still fairly unknown but they
fear that it may be ruined if it becomes too commercialised.
"There's
already special Free Running trainers you can buy," says Craig,
"if it gets too big it'll ruin the sport."
So
Free Running in Shropshire is up and, er, running and the group
are keen for new members to join them. Craig has even set up a website
dedicated to Parkour in Shropshire.
Perhaps
the last word should come from one of the founders who started Parkour,
Sebastien Foucan. But as he suggests, he can't take all the credit:
"Free
Running has always existed, has always been there. The thing is
that no one gave it a name, we didn't put it in a box. The whole
town is there for you, there for free running."
I leave
the group and head for home. I realise that the whole experience
has given me a real buzz. That evening I get up to make a cup of
tea and decide to ambitiously vault the sofa.
The
results are a disaster, but as Tom says you've just got to get back
up and give it another go. Maybe tomorrow Tom.
It
look likes Free Running has really got a hold of me...
|
