Of all the urban sports to come out of the last twenty years, Parkour (Free Running) is surely among the most spectacular. Its barely a sport at all: the principles that inform it are often philosophical, a kind of encouragement to traverse the city in whatever way you possibly can. Parkour enthusiasts are often coincidentally urban explorers, those who crave hidden spaces and urban architecture. In this way, Parkour isnt just a sport: its a way of discovering things about the world as well as yourself. Just as an aside, I would recommend that anyone also interested in these things would do well to check out the name Steve Duncan. His recent travelogue Undercity is a fascinating documentary of abandoned New York Tube Stations, forgotten rivers and forgotten people. But Duncans constant evasion of the authorities shows off the moral problems inherent in much of Parkour. Aside from damaging yourself, you always run the risk of damaging property when you fling yourself at it. And there is the not inconsiderable issue of tresspass, often in violation of terrorism laws.
Parkour is a sport that stretches the boundaries of civil liberty, which cannot be a bad thing. But its hard to justify the moral lines it crosses when so much of Parkour is about proving your own, selfish, physical limits. Frankly, youre better off Mountain Biking Wales being one of the premier locations. Yes, Wales is a region that is increasingly becoming associated with outdoor pursuits, one of which has a Free Running style edge to it. So, Parkour is fascinating as an exploration of the urban landscape, so that angle is somewhat lacking in Coasteering. But as an alternative way of testing your limits, Coasteering has the emphasis on the inaccessible in the landscape, with your physical climbing and running abilities equally tested.
And Coasteering is a far more accessible lower level too. Dwarfing the moral problems Ive always had with Parkour, the sad fact is that I dont trust myself to not break myself in someway. Coasteering on the other hand is far more structured activity, with wet suits, helmets and various protective clothing. You wont be wearing the latest in street-savvy threads exactly, but this is the Gower Peninsula and all the desolateness that applies, not the urban jungle. So give coasteering a try, and get off the streets.
No related posts.
