Topic: What are you going to do if Parkour turns into a entirely competitive sport?

[Millercb96]

I don't know if the title makes sense but I'm sure most of you will understand the question. This is a question that has been sitting in the back of my mind for a while.

[Michael H. HIPK]

Then I wouldn't be practicing parkour. I would just be practicing movement.

[Adam "Echo" C]

I would be sad. Then I would ignore the commercialization.

[Cheshire Parkour]

depressing. it would ruin the entire sport. it would turn into something like skateboarding. not cool for parkour, not cool. greed = ruin sport.

[Alec Furtado]

Assuming that's possible...

It wouldn't stop me from doing what I do, that's for sure.

[Cheshire Parkour]

Assuming that's possible...

It wouldn't stop me from doing what I do, that's for sure.

I like that response way better than mine... i dont feel that it's possible either, if it does become possible, it wont happen quickly, and hopefully we can stop it. but true, i'd probably just try to keep my roots, of the discipline, and the true meaning of parkour, and why it began. changed my mind

[Alec Furtado]

if it does become possible

No, It's actually ultimately impossible. Look at soccer. Football. Lacrosse. Running. Swimming. None of these are entirely competitive in the least bit (with how I think we are imagining parkour becoming). The majority of people in the world still do them entirely for fun and enjoyment, not money or popularity.

[Gabe Arnold]

No, It's actually ultimately impossible. Look at soccer. Football. Lacrosse. Running. Swimming. None of these are entirely competitive in the least bit (with how I think we are imagining parkour becoming). The majority of people in the world still do them entirely for fun and enjoyment, not money or popularity.

QFT

[BlazingHawk]

i no wed get alot of haters from other people that do sports like skaters and such

[Corndogg]

Assuming that's possible...

It wouldn't stop me from doing what I do, that's for sure.

+1 

[Rafe]

The question implies the anwser if you are in any way capable of doing something parkour related that is not related to it as a competive sport, it will necessarily not be an entirely competitive sport. All sports at least have elements that can be practiced in non competitive ways and a discipline as obviously individually focused as parkour will not simple disappear into a competive version no more then all martial artists will end up in the UFC or all rock climbing will be done at rock climbing competition.

[Alec Furtado]

The question implies the anwser if you are in any way capable of doing something parkour related that is not related to it as a competive sport, it will necessarily not be an entirely competitive sport.

I feel like that sentence took longer than it should have for me to understand...

i no wed get alot of haters from other people that do sports like skaters and such

1. Using proper grammar and spelling is easy. 2. I'm not sure I see the reasoning behind this statement. It's possible just like anything is, but since we are pretty unrelated I don't see why our position would necessarily draw the negative attention you suggest. However, just like anything there are always detractors to something popular, skaters or not, so that is understood. There are numerous instances of both positive and negative reactions from "skaters and such."


EDIT:

No, It's actually ultimately impossible. Look at soccer. Football. Lacrosse. Running. Swimming. None of these are entirely competitive in the least bit (with how I think we are imagining parkour becoming). The majority of people in the world still do them entirely for fun and enjoyment, not money or popularity.

...and I forgot to add the group of people playing because their parents make them. I feel that group might be larger than it should be, but that's another discussion completely...

[Michael L P]

it would be discouraging, but i would continue to better myself. as being traceur it is like religion. in it we better ourselves not only physically but mentally as well.

[DevintheNinja]

as soon as it gets waaay to competitive and corporatized(spelling) the casualty rate will go up. Theres gonna be more kids wanting to jump off roofs, and we all know when they start talking about it thats the first thing mentioned. But ill sit back and do me own thing and continue to train.

[max eisenberg]

I would be sad. Then I would ignore the commercialization.

exactly, i probably would just train alone. parkour at its roots is a beautiful thing.

[Everett McClain]

It would sadden me. I think I will continue to practice the movement, but truthfully I believe that as a community will change.

My future sight is that the word Purist will start to refer to those who dont accept the commercialization instead of those who simply practice parkour and not free running.

I have become fairly inactive in posting because of the direction that this sight has started to take, but i still visit daily due to my love for parkour

[tentonbrick]

exactly, i probably would just train alone. parkour at its roots is a beautiful thing.

the opening scene from kung-fu (1972) with David Carradine comes to mind.

[NICK DAGGER]

I would assemble a team and win in the biggest tournaments.

[BrMays]

If Parkour went competitive, I wouldn't care in the least.  Seriously, who would let something that small ruin it for themselves?

[jp2ykz]

This is hilarious...

It was said by a few already but it can't be "completely competitive." But even if it got much more competitive (which it probably never will because of the general sentiment in the community that it is bad) Only top level athletes will really ever compeat because lower level athleats dont have the personal modivation to orginize wheras the "pros have sponcership $ behind it.

That being said I personally think that it would be great and make it far more visible and acceptable by the general public if small level competitions were held.

The individual nature of the sport and training would allow any who wish no not participate. If those people had resentment it would be a sign of personal insecurity. This attitude is similar to those who would mock or make fun of a Traceure because they were unable or unwilling to learn for themselves.

Why dose what someone else dose, have any effect on you??? If parkour is about making both your body and mind strong, then people who harbor these type of feelings need take a close and honest look at themselves.

This basic and petty human instinct has been the cause of all oppression and slowing of progress thought human history.

I encourage all Traceurs to realistically look at the sport and where it is going and become comfortable with where they fit in that puzzle.