Topic: Too young?

[Tom Walker]

Hey im 14 and i was wondering if i was too young to be obsessed with parkour
i love it 

also i was wondering if you needed gymnastic experience to be a traceur (not sure how to spell)

thanks guys

[arpwer]

no, not at all. I started parkour when I was 13. I bet the founders would have been even younger when they started it though I think they took it seriously only later. However be careful, don't do crazy stunts and don't ever tell your parents what you're doing or they'll kick your ass.

[Tom Walker]

no, not at all. I started parkour when I was 13. I bet the founders would have been even younger when they started it though I think they took it seriously only later. However be careful, don't do crazy stunts and don't ever tell your parents what you're doing or they'll kick your ass.

oh that is a relief mate

yep i completely understand that parkour is about progression and safety, and that it is more than just jumping off high things, it is a philosophy (iv done a LOAD of research)

well my parents became suspicious when i kept coming inside puffed and asked me what i was doing, i told them i was doing parkour and then i watched District 13 with them and told them that was what parkour is
as you can imagine they were not thrilled
but they don't mind as long as i pay for my medical bills if i break something XD hahah

[Patrick Yang]

You'd do better to show them Jump Westminster.


Jump Westminster.


If you believe that District B13 is what parkour is, then you'd also do well to read more about the philosophy and how it relates to training as well.  When you're just starting out, it shouldn't be "more than just jumping off high things".  It should not be jumping off high things at all, since you need time to build up the parkour armor to be able to withstand the high-impact nature of the discipline.  For example, the Yamakasi does not allow anyone to jump during the first entire year of training.  Everything you need in order to progress right now can be found on ground level.  There should be no reason for you to go on high things.


EDIT: Formatting.  Stupid auto-embedding.

[Shae Perkins]

Especially at a young age it is important to train safely and diligently. Being overly hard on your body when you young can affect your growth plates and stunt your growth. 

[Tom Walker]

I apoligise if i have come across as just another kid who wants to jump off bulidings. I have done a lot research about the philosophy behind parkour already and i am trying to understand it better. I know that parkour is more than just getting from A to B and that it is an art and needs discipline which i am trying to obtain
So i apoligise if i sounded like a loser before and i hope this clears it up a bit

As for District B13 i meant that that was the PHYSICAL aspect of parkour

[Shae Perkins]

I didn't think that at all. It's a good thing to ask question. Luck with that trainin'.

[Patrick Yang]

I apoligise if i have come across as just another kid who wants to jump off bulidings. I have done a lot research about the philosophy behind parkour already and i am trying to understand it better. I know that parkour is more than just getting from A to B and that it is an art and needs discipline which i am trying to obtain
So i apoligise if i sounded like a loser before and i hope this clears it up a bit

As for District B13 i meant that that was the PHYSICAL aspect of parkour

No apology needed.  I don't know your parents, so I don't know whether it would apply for this specific situation, but what I've found in dealing with parents is that they're interested in making sure their kids are safe, are safe, aren't getting into trouble, are safe, are gaining useful skills, are safe, are learning to be better people (vagueness intentional), and are safe.  This is why Jump Westminster is a good documentary to show parents.  It portrays parkour a positive activity that builds confidence and dedication, and it shows it being used in a manner that is accepted by authority figures.

[Tom Walker]

No apology needed.  I don't know your parents, so I don't know whether it would apply for this specific situation, but what I've found in dealing with parents is that they're interested in making sure their kids are safe, are safe, aren't getting into trouble, are safe, are gaining useful skills, are safe, are learning to be better people (vagueness intentional), and are safe.  This is why Jump Westminster is a good documentary to show parents.  It portrays parkour a positive activity that builds confidence and dedication, and it shows it being used in a manner that is accepted by authority figures.

Thanks
My parents don't really mind me practicing parkour, but my mum does get worried so I will show my parents that documentary, it will probably give me tips as well!

do you recommend any other documentaries that might help me and my friends to become better traceurs (we are attempting to form a group)

[Poet (Jesse) Clark]

No apology needed.  I don't know your parents, so I don't know whether it would apply for this specific situation, but what I've found in dealing with parents is that they're interested in making sure their kids are safe, are safe, aren't getting into trouble, are safe, are gaining useful skills, are safe, are learning to be better people (vagueness intentional), and are safe.  This is why Jump Westminster is a good documentary to show parents.  It portrays parkour a positive activity that builds confidence and dedication, and it shows it being used in a manner that is accepted by authority figures.

Thanks
My parents don't really mind me practicing parkour, but my mum does get worried so I will show my parents that documentary, it will probably give me tips as well!

do you recommend any other documentaries that might help me and my friends to become better traceurs (we are attempting to form a group)

In my opinion, starting a group when you're new to parkour is not the best idea. Training with others is almost, if not, a necessity. So instead of starting a group, and focusing on getting named, instead find someone near by you who has lots of experience already. Train with them, learn from them, you might even teach them something. But focus mostly on you, on your training and conditioning, and eventually the whole team thing will come on its own time. 

Welcome to APK, and by all means don't be afraid to ask for help. (Do a forum search or check the FAQs to avoid repeated threads. People don't like repeats.)

[Hannah W]

"In my opinion, starting a group when you're new to parkour is not the best idea. Training with others is almost, if not, a necessity. So instead of starting a group, and focusing on getting named, instead find someone near by you who has lots of experience already. Train with them, learn from them, you might even teach them something. But focus mostly on you, on your training and conditioning, and eventually the whole team thing will come on its own time.  " (poet)

hey... what if there's really no one near you to train w/ except other beginners... not really anyone with "lots of experience"?

[Torch Parkour]

i wish i started this years ago

[Kiernan]

In my opinion age doesn't matter, or being "really" good it depends on what makes YOU happy, but if you want to get experienced help then find a forum for your state and see if the more experienced members teach classes. I did that and just did my first class last night, unless your in good physical shape chances are by the time it's over you'll feel like you just got your ass handed to you, but don't let that discourage you! It's hard work but it makes you feel better and boosts your confidence, like "hey holy crap I just pulled that off?!" you'll have a smile on your face for an hour.....he he he I'm still smiling

[Poet (Jesse) Clark]

"In my opinion, starting a group when you're new to parkour is not the best idea. Training with others is almost, if not, a necessity. So instead of starting a group, and focusing on getting named, instead find someone near by you who has lots of experience already. Train with them, learn from them, you might even teach them something. But focus mostly on you, on your training and conditioning, and eventually the whole team thing will come on its own time.  " (poet)

hey... what if there's really no one near you to train w/ except other beginners... not really anyone with "lots of experience"?

In which case you'll have to make due with either a long drive, (I drive about an hour to train with Ryan Ford and Matt Marshall.) or with the people here on the forums. I'm not saying that you can't get really good without a veteran there to teach you, but it helps speed the process up.

[Bryan Petersen]

i wish i started this years ago

Me too to be honest

[Tom Walker]

No apology needed.  I don't know your parents, so I don't know whether it would apply for this specific situation, but what I've found in dealing with parents is that they're interested in making sure their kids are safe, are safe, aren't getting into trouble, are safe, are gaining useful skills, are safe, are learning to be better people (vagueness intentional), and are safe.  This is why Jump Westminster is a good documentary to show parents.  It portrays parkour a positive activity that builds confidence and dedication, and it shows it being used in a manner that is accepted by authority figures.

Thanks
My parents don't really mind me practicing parkour, but my mum does get worried so I will show my parents that documentary, it will probably give me tips as well!

do you recommend any other documentaries that might help me and my friends to become better traceurs (we are attempting to form a group)

In my opinion, starting a group when you're new to parkour is not the best idea. Training with others is almost, if not, a necessity. So instead of starting a group, and focusing on getting named, instead find someone near by you who has lots of experience already. Train with them, learn from them, you might even teach them something. But focus mostly on you, on your training and conditioning, and eventually the whole team thing will come on its own time. 

Welcome to APK, and by all means don't be afraid to ask for help. (Do a forum search or check the FAQs to avoid repeated threads. People don't like repeats.)

Well i live in Australia and i don't believe (correct me if im wrong) that parkour is very big over here and i doubt anybody would host parkour lessons in Newcastle.
thanks for the advice about the team thing though

thanks for the warm welcome and sorry about the repeat, ill use the search next time 

[Patrick Yang]

Well i live in Australia and i don't believe (correct me if im wrong) that parkour is very big over here and i doubt anybody would host parkour lessons in Newcastle.

http://www.parkour.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398

Google is your friend.

[Bryan Petersen]

Tom, in my opinion there is no certain age to become a traceur, if it is your wish to practice parkour, then by all means, do it, just go about it with patience and take your time. Think of all the prodigy guitarists that are playing jimi hendrix by their 7th birthday just do what you need to do bro, we're all behind you.

[Tom Walker]

Well i live in Australia and i don't believe (correct me if im wrong) that parkour is very big over here and i doubt anybody would host parkour lessons in Newcastle.

http://www.parkour.com.au/forum/viewtopic.php?t=398

Google is your friend.

oh man thanks so much Patrick!
that site looks great, i'll look into it

[Tom Walker]

Tom, in my opinion there is no certain age to become a traceur, if it is your wish to practice parkour, then by all means, do it, just go about it with patience and take your time. Think of all the prodigy guitarists that are playing jimi hendrix by their 7th birthday just do what you need to do bro, we're all behind you.

sweet mate thanks a lot for those kind words