MTV (Ultimate Parkour Challenge) April 26th; 10:30PM

[Daniel Arroyo]

Okay so here's the deal, we all hate the proposition of a parkour/Free Running competition; however, I along with Daniel Ilabaca, Ryan Doyle, Time "Livewire" Shieff, Pip Andersen, Micheal Turner, Brian Orosco, and King David all were chosen to participate in the making of a new show that MTV wants to get started. Me and everybody else are all signed athlete's of the WFPF (World Freerunning & Parkour Federation), a company that strives to commercialize Parkour/Freerunning in the RIGHT manor. So the MTV executive's really wanted to make this show a competition but all of us told them that we wouldn't do it if they were going to portray our art in that way. So after much negotiation we compromised on having it be labeled a challenge, but when they interview us we will be able to give the viewers all the insight upon how this is not a sport, this is much more like a discipline and we do this because we love this, not because we want to win and be considered the best because there is no "best". Long story short we had a great time and in the end we all became a family rather then practitioners, we love what we do and we want others to be inspired to find their own limits, and hopefully find themselves in the process. So before you look at this and think it's a competition please realize that Parkour/Freerunning will inevitably be commercialized it is just a matter of would you rather somebody portray our art with a negative influence or portray this discipline with the right mindset and with SOME of the leading figure's in our Movement?

P.S. Thank you to everybody that actually took the time to read this all and have the open mind necessary to understanding that we are trying our best! THANK YOU APK.

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/jj201/CrazyRican158/

[Joshua Irwin]

that makes me feel alot better about this whole deal! if only i had an actual tv to watch it in the first place lol

[Skills]

liking this...take the stand and help parkour grow in the correct manner

[Mark Hatcher]

Kudos.

It's good to see people steering the exposure of parkour to try and keep the philosophy and values intact.

Just my opinion, but I think this could be very similar to Sasuke aka Ninja Warrior. Yes, there are stages and time limits, and people get eliminated and you end up with a kind of ranking. However, it's not against each other; every athlete is competing against the course, against the environment. The people who do Sasuke/Ninja Warrior seem to do it for self satisfaction, not for bragging rights or to prove that they're better than others.

Once again, I'm happy there's guys like you embracing the fact that parkour is becoming popular and trying to keep it from getting corrupted.

[Nfiltr8]

Wow, that's awesome! I'm definitely going to tell people I got to train with you in Gainesville. 

[PKAB]

Well I am having some mixed feelings because you just named some extremely respectable traceurs but then it is MTV. I guess Id totally support it I just don't want it to you know turn into some show offey crappy show about people jumping off stuff. But i'm pretty sure you guys won't let that happen. So yeah I'm all for it now that I know some respectable traceurs are keeping it headed in the right direction. Looking forward to it!

[Daniel Arroyo]

I really appreciate the support guys, seriously. We are just hoping that when they go to edit all the footage they don't try to cut and paste the clips that may sound competitive or negative. For the most part I think they are all understanding now that they have all talked to us and listened to how passionate we are about what we do.

Hey Jack K. I live in Tampa, and you are more then welcome here anytime!!

P.S. I posted my photobucket link in the original post so you guys can see photos from the set.

[Christian Greene]

What an opportunity!!!!!!!! I cant wait to see this it sounds so fun!

[Daniel Arroyo]

Yeah only two people got hurt but nothing major. I sprained my neck, due to an unprepped course (got wet from somebody's sweat), and somebody else bruised their heel and cut open their hand. Other then that it was the time of my life!

[Jordan Lerner]

thanks daniel. this really helps quell any misgivings i had about this before.

[Tom Bowidowicz]

That is great to hear. I definitely had some questions about what direction the show would take and knowing MTV, it was not a good direction. Thanks for clearing everything up and really pushing the core ideal of parkour!

[Ben Stampahar]

I'm glad I go to cyber school, no matter what time it airs I can watch it

Oh wait, its on a Sunday anyway

[Daniel Arroyo]

That is great to hear. I definitely had some questions about what direction the show would take and knowing MTV, it was not a good direction. Thanks for clearing everything up and really pushing the core ideal of parkour!

I totally understand because I had the same thoughts as well. But when I started to talk to them and saw that they were really listening to us and we really had a word in the production, I got really excited. I just hope they don't trick us and edit it to make everything look misleading; but with all of the positive discussions we had I am pretty sure it will be way to difficult to do that.

[ChrisBApk]

This post is a test to see if APK readers are open to viewpoints that go against the grain...**it is "negativity free"

I hate to be the party pooper, but Daniel's statements are a direct contradiction of statements made by a WFPF representative with whom I had a lengthy conversation.  The competitive aspect was the WFPF's idea.  Daniel's statements are also a contradiction of offline statements made by some participants who are actually for competition.

Everyone here seems very quick to take Daniel's words at face value, but you all have to realize that he is speaking as a representative of WFPF.  He delivered a marketing script that was likely written for him.  The purpose is not to "clear things up" but rather to do "damage control."

[Animus]

Chris, while it may be rather evident that some of the members listed have been vocally for competition, we all know that a great deal of them have always stood against it.  Ultimately, I believe in giving people the benefit of the doubt, especially when they are trusted friends.  I also believe that those who are against it wouldn't agree unless those who were for it settled on something agreeable, as well (the whole "anti" camp tends to be all-or-nothing like that).

Yes, it's a marketing strategy, I'm sure.  Yes, everyone should always always take things with a grain of salt.  But being critical doesn't always mean being negative.  Wait and see.  Until then, the whole thing should just be put on the backburner as we forge ahead, as we always have.

Daniel, thank you for that.  It's been copy-pasted over to PKNA by a courteous member and should stimulate some more discussion.