http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/news/story/0,4136,199136,00.html?
Leaping lizards!
They do stunts for fun
Parkour devotees here to showcase the urban sport
By Germaine Lim
April 17, 2009
TRACEURS: (Clockwise from bottom left) Anan Anwar, Ista Ho, Shaun Wood and Wiseno. TNP PICTURES: NG XI JIE
THEY make spectacular leaps across large spaces, sometimes at great heights. Their glistening, toned bodies lunge and vault over whatever is in their way.
Nothing can stop them, not even a three-metre high scaffold - they simply somersault to the ground.
Nuts? They've heard it all before, but the Sydney Parkour boys say that they're 'in full control over every movement'.
Shaun Wood, 20, told The New Paper: 'A lot of people think we're idiots. If they stop and talk to us, they'll quickly realise that we're serious about what we do.
'We're not adrenaline junkies and we can't be. We have to be in command of our bodies to do parkour.'
Together with Wiseno, Ista Ho and Anan Anwar, the boys are in town to showcase this 'art of movement' from today till Saturday at Clarke Quay Central Square for The Belvedere BEAT.
The 10-day event, which ends on 25Apr, is part of Clarke Quay's anniversary celebrations since its revamp in 2007.
Parkour originated from France in the late 1980s.
In recent years, the movement gained popularity after appearing in pop culture vehicles like Luc Besson's Yamakasi (2001), the James Bond movie Casino Royale (2006) and Madonna's Jump (2006) music video.
Some Singaporeans have started a website called le-Parkour to allow local practitioners to interact.
In this 'discipline' whose main philosophy is 'self-improvement', Mr Anwar, who has been practising parkour for four years, says 'there are no fixed movements'.
The 22-year-old Thai said: 'It's the art of moving from point A to B in the most efficient and fastest way possible, through means like jumping, running, climbing and balancing.
'It's a 'reach and escape' mentality. Parkour is about overcoming obstacles.'
But they do not dismiss concerns that parkour can be unsafe. After all, there have been deaths.
In 2005, a 15-year-old Singaporean, believed to be an enthusiast, died after falling from the 14th storey of a HDB block.
In England, a 14-year-old fell to his death after attempting to leap a two-metre gap between two 10-metre buildings that same year, according to UK rag Fusion.
Worst injuries
The Sydney traceurs say sprained ankles and bruises are the worst injuries they've sustained.
Mr Ho, 24, adds that no one they know has had major operations because of parkour.
Another misconception about parkour is that its practitioners damage public property. But Mr Anwar thinks traceurs are 'most respectful of our environments'.
He said: 'The environment is our playground. The last thing we want to do is damage it because if we do, we won't be able to come and play in it again.'
Parkour, which Mr Wood described as a 'lifestyle', has not only made them stronger physically, it has also strengthened their mental capacity.
He said: 'Parkour has literally turned lives around. I know of people who have stopped doing drugs, drinking and smoking, and changed their lifestyles just so they can do parkour.'
Leaping lizards!
They do stunts for fun
Parkour devotees here to showcase the urban sport
By Germaine Lim
April 17, 2009
TRACEURS: (Clockwise from bottom left) Anan Anwar, Ista Ho, Shaun Wood and Wiseno. TNP PICTURES: NG XI JIE
THEY make spectacular leaps across large spaces, sometimes at great heights. Their glistening, toned bodies lunge and vault over whatever is in their way.
Nothing can stop them, not even a three-metre high scaffold - they simply somersault to the ground.
Nuts? They've heard it all before, but the Sydney Parkour boys say that they're 'in full control over every movement'.
Shaun Wood, 20, told The New Paper: 'A lot of people think we're idiots. If they stop and talk to us, they'll quickly realise that we're serious about what we do.
'We're not adrenaline junkies and we can't be. We have to be in command of our bodies to do parkour.'
Together with Wiseno, Ista Ho and Anan Anwar, the boys are in town to showcase this 'art of movement' from today till Saturday at Clarke Quay Central Square for The Belvedere BEAT.
The 10-day event, which ends on 25Apr, is part of Clarke Quay's anniversary celebrations since its revamp in 2007.
Parkour originated from France in the late 1980s.
In recent years, the movement gained popularity after appearing in pop culture vehicles like Luc Besson's Yamakasi (2001), the James Bond movie Casino Royale (2006) and Madonna's Jump (2006) music video.
Some Singaporeans have started a website called le-Parkour to allow local practitioners to interact.
In this 'discipline' whose main philosophy is 'self-improvement', Mr Anwar, who has been practising parkour for four years, says 'there are no fixed movements'.
The 22-year-old Thai said: 'It's the art of moving from point A to B in the most efficient and fastest way possible, through means like jumping, running, climbing and balancing.
'It's a 'reach and escape' mentality. Parkour is about overcoming obstacles.'
But they do not dismiss concerns that parkour can be unsafe. After all, there have been deaths.
In 2005, a 15-year-old Singaporean, believed to be an enthusiast, died after falling from the 14th storey of a HDB block.
In England, a 14-year-old fell to his death after attempting to leap a two-metre gap between two 10-metre buildings that same year, according to UK rag Fusion.
Worst injuries
The Sydney traceurs say sprained ankles and bruises are the worst injuries they've sustained.
Mr Ho, 24, adds that no one they know has had major operations because of parkour.
Another misconception about parkour is that its practitioners damage public property. But Mr Anwar thinks traceurs are 'most respectful of our environments'.
He said: 'The environment is our playground. The last thing we want to do is damage it because if we do, we won't be able to come and play in it again.'
Parkour, which Mr Wood described as a 'lifestyle', has not only made them stronger physically, it has also strengthened their mental capacity.
He said: 'Parkour has literally turned lives around. I know of people who have stopped doing drugs, drinking and smoking, and changed their lifestyles just so they can do parkour.'
