Free Running / Le Parkour Videos
Free Running (also known as Le Parkour) was shown in Jump London tonight on UK Channel 4 TV. In a beautiful short film by Optomen the story of Free Running was told and free running performed among the rooftops of some of London's most famous buildings including the Royal Albert Hall, Tate Modern, Somerset House and the Royal National Theatre. It seems that Free Running (or Le Parkour) was invented by David Belle and Sebastien Foucan (Jump London focuses on Foucan) 15 years ago or so in the Paris suburb of Lisses as essentially a way of using obstacles to enable movement. The art of Le Parkour was brought to UK homes recently with the BBC ident (Rush Hour) which featured David Belle leaping London's rooftops before settling down to watch the good old beeb. Belle and Foucan formed a group Yamakasi (Modern day Samurai) and Luc Besson made a film by the same name based on the potentially tragic accident which could happen by engaging in Le Parkour. I remember seeing it and it was good but I can't find it on Amazon. Anyway, Jump London was cool. That's all. Posted by Paul at September 10, 2003 01:54 AM |
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my name is ryan I am 15 from southampton I was watching the programme on free running and I'm really interested in learning how to do it where can I go and want can I do to get in to the sport? Posted by: ryan allen at September 13, 2003 11:13 AMRyan - the best way to get into it is just to do it. Start off small, looking at fences and bollards and railings and just work out combos off of things, like from the floor to a lamppost and onto a fence etc. just start looking at things that you know you can jump but don't go to overboard. as with anything - confidence is the key Posted by: Lee Stuart at September 14, 2003 11:42 AMI am a keen climber/boulderer and feel that the skills and strenths apply to both so get down to your neerest climbing wall and work on your grip and pulling down power then start doin it simple! Posted by: dougie hamilton at September 15, 2003 04:22 PMI know Ryan asked a similar question, and I am going to just begin and practice parkour by myself but does anyone know of any clubs in the UK for free running? Posted by: Tim Bowler at September 16, 2003 01:31 PMtry www.urbanfreeflow.com Posted by: bcvxb at September 18, 2003 06:23 PMYes the correct way to get into parkour would be to visit www.urbanfreeflow.com. The site is full of tutorials, tricklists, media and is the largest meeting point for traceurs (ppl who practise parkour) worldwide! The site had more hits then the french ones in its first free months. The site also arranges parkour days where we meet up in certain areas and train together! Posted by: Kerbie at October 2, 2003 09:45 AMI am studying free running and 'Yamakasi' as my Media Studies GCSE practical project for year 11. I was very impressed with 'Jump London' as it gave me alot of inspiration and information for my project. I would be very greatful if anyone could e-mail me anything about the history of free running and most importantly 'Yamakasi' and help me get a great grade on my GCSE. I watched Jump london, which inspired me to take up free running. It is great, and practical, i do it as much as i can, and getting better at it. The practicalness of this showed when i was told to stay back at lunch in class, i wanted to get out but the teacher turned round to the row behind and blocked my row, so me and my friend used free-running to sleakly jump over the table on to the other side and sneak out. Free running is great. Posted by: Ali at October 3, 2003 09:41 PMI am a third year single hons dance student who would be extremly grateful if ne 1 could give me ne info on free funning or the program 'Jump London'. I was greatly inspired by this program and I am using this as a stimulus for my final year piece. If ne 1 could also tell me where I would be able to get hold of a copy of the program that would be a huge help. Many Thanks, Nicki.x Posted by: Nichola Mclaren at October 6, 2003 03:23 PMmy advice to anyone who wants to know more is to go to http://www.urbanfreeflow.com Posted by: Blake at October 11, 2003 12:00 PMListen to blake and visit urbanfreeflow.com By the way the correct name is indeed le parkour not free running. Posted by: David at October 11, 2003 07:47 PMPk 4 life my friends. Urbanfreeflow.com is the way i free run and i think that it is grate Posted by: danny at October 13, 2003 09:21 AMi downloaded the yamikasi film from Kazaa but its in french, im not sure if they made a english one but i like free running so much i watched it loads of times now so i know what there saying.(sad) Posted by: marc 'HUGGY' hudson at October 13, 2003 03:58 PMI think free runnig is cool and hope to do it Posted by: Me at October 16, 2003 12:00 PMI did free running once and broke my crotch it really hurt Posted by: Ben and Nathan at October 16, 2003 12:01 PMIv been doin free running or le parkour ever since i watched jump london iv been pushing myself and my friends all the time iv had a cople of run in with the cops because i was jumping from roof to roff on my school but it hasnt stopped me yet iv done a couple of big roof gaps bout 10 ft down but qiute a small way to jump i really want to get my landing technics and stuff like that and iv learned a lot from urbanfreeflow.com. there isnt anywhere really to go round here in Malton, north yorkshire so if any1 has any suggestions or anywhere go to do it email me at cheers! Posted by: tom warrington at October 16, 2003 04:48 PMhi im Ollie im 13 and free running has taken my fancy. i live in gorleston and theres no where 2 practice this sport. if ne1 has ne information the i can grab on where it can be practiced then plz e-mail me @ Ollie. Posted by: Ollie at October 16, 2003 08:26 PMOnce 'Jump London' was shown on TV, i was hooked on the urban sport. I was praying if channel 4 would ever show it again as a repeat, also i would love it if there is a Free Running video out in the shops or possibly 'Jump London' release dates to buy at the shops!? Posted by: Patrick at October 19, 2003 12:24 AMI have also recently seen this fotage of street runnin but i've been doing this for years and count myself as an expert i have seen the moves in this program and want to meet up with the organisers of it does anyone who reads have details for me if so send them to Posted by: J at October 22, 2003 07:35 PMi really liked jump london and it took my fancy but didnt realise how good it was to i went on urbanfreeflow and my mate told me that he was researching it so i decided to research it as well because it took my fancy and im going to take it up Posted by: kim at October 23, 2003 07:52 PM! Hi , I'm Rich from Exeter , Devon . I am gutted because I missed jump london . All my friends watched it and said it was amazing , and I can tell by the other comments posted . I'm in a group with 5 others , they started to practice free running ( le parkour ) the day after the program . I joined in and found it amazing . Myself and a boy called Kevin , in our group got better and better and started to land huge gaps inbetween buildings. Our school , is amazing for free running . There are so many rails and fences that have massive drops beyond them . Luckily myself or any of the others haven't injured ourselves , we wear protective gear just to make sure . Anyway . . . .cheers to belle and the founders for making up a great hobby . Cheers . Posted by: Richard at October 24, 2003 04:29 PMArrangements for Free Running (Le Parkour) Training ATTENTION! Important to all people who are interested into taking up Free Running! Applies to mostly beginners as most of the training will be taking place at mostly ground level but experts are more than welcome! Everyone living around and in the central London area! As of half term has arrived and some universities have reading week. I suggest a meeting for all free runners whether you are a beginner or expert. Info: EVERYONE MEET IN LEICESTER SQUARE OUTSIDE EQUINOX NIGHTCLUB AT 12 NOON ON MONDAY 27TH OCTOBER. THE NEAREST TRAIN STATION IS LEICESTER SQUARE AND WALK UP THE PATHWAY NEXT TO THE MAIN ROAD AND YOU SHOULD COME UP TO THE NIGHTCLUB WITHIN A 5 MINUTE WALK FROM WHEN YOU COME OUTSIDE THE STATION Travel info: A 1 DAY TRAVELCARD IS NEEDED AS WE MAY TRAVEL FROM PLACE TO PLACE USING THE LONDON UNDERGROUND. ZONES 1-6 WILL COST YOU £5.10 FOR ADULT. TRANING GROUNDS: 1PM - TRAFALGAR SQUARE, 3PM - WATERLOO, 6PM - SOUTHBANK. Sup?! My name is John... Webb the last name... I'm from Bridgeport, Ct. I have a problem... I'm a traceur. (Lol) I've been doing it for maybe... three months. I, from what I have seen, am better than most groups out there... no brag or boast. I'm working on getting a video out. Just hit me up with anything or whatever, drop me an email if you are in the area and want to see how I get down. Posted by: Webb at November 7, 2003 09:49 PMi just started Parkour and i was wondering if there was any upper Wisconson groups for my friends and i to join? Posted by: Katie at November 21, 2003 08:05 PMi was wondering were could i go in london to practise free-running? Posted by: ryan at November 22, 2003 07:10 PMI would advise that anyone looking for a copy of jump london or any other videos to check www.urbanfreeflow.com . There are also arranged meetings where people of different skill levels meet up and are taught by the more experienced tracuers. Hiya every1, Ruben Posted by: Ruben at November 30, 2003 02:36 PMYou'll find a range of information and resources for parkour in the UK at www.parkour.org.uk Posted by: bexhill at December 1, 2003 03:21 PMJust to let u know . Jump london is back on the 22nd of december so if u wanna watch it look out. Also email @ 4 more information on Parkour or anything else. My website is www.pkvelocitycrew.20m.com But a website well worth looking @ is www.urbanfreeflow.com Posted by: Casper at December 6, 2003 02:05 PMfor ne1 interested in le parkour. www.le-parkour.com/davidbelle.avi David Belle at his best! www.multilevelmoves.com is a site that is also kool, not pk but martial arts tricks. Posted by: Roscoe at December 12, 2003 10:29 PMi am almost 16 and i have been doing free running since i was very young however it was'nt until i saw a trailer for the yamakasi film that i realised others did the same sport as me. i am extremely good at what i do. i was shocked when i saw the Jump London programme because i realised i am as good as they are. since then i have always wanted to meet them and show them what i can do. i am at present working on a project for channel 4 and have done various spider man shows and have appeared on stage at the London and Manchester Apollo. i live on the Wirral PLEASE get in touch you will not be disappointed at my skills. Posted by: daniel ilabaca at December 17, 2003 11:18 PMVISIT WWW.URBANFREEFLOW.COM for all your FreeRunning Le Parkour needs! Posted by: Baz at December 20, 2003 11:09 AMi hav been free running for a while now and gettin alright at it. I live in Dereham and if any1 wants to talk to me on the email about free running don't hesitate to email me. i didn't realise that this many people do it. I would like to here how others r gettin on at it. please email me on Posted by: tom at December 20, 2003 06:14 PMI want 2 start free running but i want to do it with other people. I live in Bournemouth, so if there is any 1 in this area that does free running, please email me at Posted by: Andy at December 21, 2003 01:02 PMVISIT WWW.PARKOUR.ORG.UK -- VISIT WWW.PARKOUR.ORG.UK -- VISIT WWW.PARKOUR.ORG.UK it's nice and that :o) Posted by: Alan at December 21, 2003 02:51 PMI'm very interested in getting into free running. I am 18 and a beginner which i will admite. Been on a few websites and was wondering if anyone had any info or comments that may be helpful to me feel free to email me. Any nearby meetings/get togethers or clubs around Milton Keynes,england if you could please email me with any info aswell. Hey Mark, we have several members from Milton Keynes, if you come to www.urbanfreeflow.com, go to the forum, and look for a forum called Areas / Jams. Hi- i watched the programme jump london, and i was really impressed- it took what me and my mates used to do as kids to another level! i was thinking about trying again, but at 24, am i getting too old?! Posted by: Matt at December 21, 2003 08:02 PMI have been free running for around two years and before I saw 'Jump London' I new it as a nameless sport. My friend and I knew it as 'foot skating'!This is the birth of a new age of extreme sport Posted by: Jack at December 21, 2003 08:04 PMI'm asking a similar question to other people. I'm want to get into free running so is there any training courses in London for kids? Posted by: Dave at December 21, 2003 08:05 PMcan somebody plese tell me wheater there is a free running clubs in the suffolk area and could they email me soon please. I've just watched jump london and want to learn more or could somebody teach me simple moves ova the net either with pictures or clear instuctions. Im 18 yrs old and living in leicester, uk. I saw free london and was amazed at what seb & co. could do. As a kid i always used to run and jump everywhere because i got bored of just walking, but i never knew that it had become a sort of extreme sport! If anyone is interested in starting a club or group then e-mail me, i would like to hear from you. Posted by: Alec at December 21, 2003 08:10 PMAs a keen adrenaline sport addict, i.e. down hill biking, motor sport, climbing, parachute jumping, and ive ran and used items as obstacles but never to this extreme. It has brought a new light to my attention, hence me on the internet looking for more information. Where will it go from here? Posted by: Jay Kullar at December 21, 2003 08:14 PMHey, I'm 14 and i'm wondering if what age you should start free-running and if you need to be male to do it? If anyone has any info on clubs for young people for free running in London can you e-mail me at . cheers Posted by: Cat at December 21, 2003 08:19 PMAny clubs for begginers thanks Posted by: Cat at December 21, 2003 08:22 PMBeen on the suggested web sites and find them usful however havn't found anyone in my local area of nottinghamshire. didn't know if you knew of anyone in that area or if there are any form of club for training so to speak?? Tom visit the Urban Free Flow forum.. there is a member directory, with hundreds of traceurs information there. im perfectly sure there are traceurs in nottingham area.. just check it out http://pub77.ezboard.com/burbanfreeflow Posted by: Baz at December 21, 2003 08:30 PMHi its alec again, i put my e-mail address wrong! (silly idiot) its .COM not .co.uk.! I say again though, if anyones interested in taking up free running but doesn't no where to start, e-mail me. im in the leicester area and want to start a club or group or something! Posted by: Alec at December 21, 2003 08:30 PMResponding to Alec - tried to write to you - but got an undeliverable mail meggage instead. Maybe update your address? Alec, Responding to your posting about Free Running. So, I'm not the only crazy one out here it seems? If you set up something in the Leicester area, give me a shout. I'm ex merchant navy, ex boxing instructor (amateur), enjoy some Regards, PS don't be put off by Matt's note (earlier tonight) about being too old at 24, I'm 29 but as fit & stronger than when I was a teenager. I thought it was inspirational... i wanna find out more, and get involved in some free running. Anyone interested? Tommy Posted by: Tommy Lee at December 22, 2003 01:27 AMAnyone living in kent? please let me know where and if u wanna hook up? it'd be cool to meet others... Posted by: Matt at December 22, 2003 12:39 PMAfter watching jump london this week, that was it,put a pair of trainers in my briefcase with a copy of the times and a pasta lunch, my office will never look the same!!! Birmingham here I come!!! and I'm 32 so never to old to start!!!! mike Posted by: mike at December 22, 2003 02:50 PMHi i am 19years of age, is there any one in the chelmsford area or Essex who wants to hook up. I havent done le parkour before but would love to get involved if there are other people i can start with. Email me at Ok i watched jump london and it took my breath away. My parents are constantly telling me off for jumping all over the place so i think this is definatly the sport for me, problem is i think i would feel incredably stupid running down the street on my own jumping on things, at least till i had learnt some advanced moves ot make people stare in amazement. www.ubranfreeflow.com rocks! Posted by: Stuart at December 22, 2003 08:07 PMi missed the start of jump london can i down load ir anywere Posted by: tommy lally at December 22, 2003 09:01 PMHi everyone, ive just found this site and i am delighted to see that so many people are into Free - running. I thought i was on my own cos i watched "Jump London" the other night there and was really impresed with such a sport. I also liked that bbc1 advertismnt where the guy runs over the buildings. (Wouldnt mind the physique either lol). I live in Airdrie,Scotland. Im about an easy 30 minute train journey from glasgow. I havent attempted free running yet myself but i am really into it after that programe. If anyone knows good places where to go near me then please let me know. I am going to look a the website mentioned by others. Hope to hear any info about the sport or places to go. Mark. Posted by: Mark at December 23, 2003 07:50 PMDo not visit www.parkour.org.uk because it is a rip off of www.urbanfreeflow.com and uses propiganda on the site. If you really want to start up parkour as a dicipline then you would be best looking at www.urbanfreeflow.com because it one of the best parkour sites around!!! Posted by: anon at December 24, 2003 11:55 AMi consider myself as a very lucky person i have grown up around this sport all my life. i have loads of sandstone rocks near where i live and i spend all my time. i am just startin to realise the danger of it all but f*** that. come to tunbridge wells if you are any good. toad rocks it rules Posted by: dan at December 24, 2003 06:45 PMwhere do u come from, dan? i live near tunny wells myself... the rocks are pretty cool... Posted by: Matt at December 24, 2003 09:47 PMparkour.org.uk is really a very good site. i know the guy who made it and he's sound. it's got tonne of stuff on it which isn't anywhere else. mike Posted by: mike jones at December 26, 2003 10:13 AMDoes anyone live near me that does le parkour? I live ina village called chapelhall and i can easily get a train to glasgow and other places about. My village is joined on to the town of airdrie. If anyone does train either beginner like me or advanced then please get in touch as i would like to learn and train with others. Posted by: mark at December 29, 2003 05:58 PMhi me again.Just wanted to know if trees and woodland areas are good to practise this sport. I live right next to a quite and secluded spot of a woodland area which has a steady slow flowing river running through it.The reason ive just thought of asking is because i was looking up the profile of David Belle and he said thats how he started. Again thou, if anyone is near me then please get in touch or even just leave a message here on this site as i am a frequent visitor now Posted by: mark at December 29, 2003 07:12 PMwow loads of ppl The UK Parkour Association's Parkour Network: http://www.parkour.org.uk/parkour_network.html It has an area contact and a forum for every county in the United Kingdom, including Wales and Scotland. It's got to be the easiest way to get in touch with other traceurs _NEAR YOU_ Posted by: bexhill at December 29, 2003 11:53 PMWas just wonering is anyone knows where I can watch the origonal bbc trailer "Rush Hour" as I haven't seen it in ages. Thanx Posted by: earth_boy at December 30, 2003 10:32 PMI am a stunt fanatic myself and enjoy stunts and film production. i would love to further this interest if you could let me no how Maaan, parkour is the most extreme sport out there. One mistake could cost u your life. This will be the most popular sport in the world in the future, after football (soccer), of course! LOL! You have to realize that the world is becoming more urban every day. Trucers will become like superheroes. Tarzan, Daredevil, Nightcrawler.... Some of them will use the skill to be THIFS andsome to fight crime......Those that are thiefs will be the greatest thiefs the world has ever seen. Why? Because they will never get cought! So,... start NOW. If you want to be the BEST one out there you will have to risk everything. Cause "It is only after you have lost everything that you're free to do Hey ya, its me again! One more thing to remember: "Every day that you do not train, someone else does, they are training to defeat you"! Posted by: Thief at December 31, 2003 05:27 PMHi everyone. My names Chris and im 13. Ive only just started and I watched Jump London. Ive gotta say that sum of da stuff they do is incredible. Im learinin my stuff from www.urbanfreeflow.com. But I startin to improve my skills. Happy new year to all. Posted by: Chris at January 4, 2004 09:11 PMi went out the other day and was just hanging out, and i just decided to give it a go! i haven't done anything really extreme, but i ran and planted my foot on a wall behind a bench, and then pushed off to land about 7' away from it! it was the first thing i did, and the buzz i got from it was amazing! i started to look at the bench in a different way, then the wall, and realized there was a mini ledge sloping down at 45 degrees about the width of a brick. so i thought what if i can run along it, and so i tried, and then i tried, while turning round on it... can't best describe it other than that... and i got a real buzz! i'm hooked!!! Posted by: Matt at January 6, 2004 07:58 AMit was cool Posted by: dan at January 6, 2004 12:45 PMit is wakad. i am surprised they haven't fallen and killed themselfes though. Posted by: matt at January 7, 2004 06:18 PMme and a few friends make up the entire free running population of plymouth, devon. If anyone else is interested in joining us email me! Posted by: Ethikal at January 9, 2004 12:08 PMYeh since Ive been doinfg free running, my balance has improved alot. Ive perfected the PK roll and distance jumps. Im now looking at more complicated stuff like jumps from hights. Posted by: Chris at January 10, 2004 12:12 AMHi i started parkour the day after i watched jump london but i cant find any small places to start of is there anywere we can learn new stuff and train Posted by: matt reynolds at January 10, 2004 09:13 AMI saw jump london last night and thought it was amazing, im 16 and was wondering if there any beginners near Skipton in North Yorkshire who wanna practise. Posted by: Ally Canaway at January 10, 2004 01:38 PMello ello ppl, i saw the jump london program like many others and am interested to get involved with anyone else who wishes to train. i havent done free running before but always jump around and over things (like kids do). i am 17, and if any one live around the befordshire area (near dunstable) give me and email and we can meet up my email address is , i get alot of junk email so plz SET THE TOPIC OF THE EMAIL TO 'FREE RUNNING', cheers l8r Posted by: Add at January 10, 2004 01:52 PMi loved jump londan is there clubs u can go to to do what u do Posted by: sam woodford at January 11, 2004 10:09 PMdo u write back Posted by: sam woodford at January 12, 2004 08:41 PMI've only recently started parkour and find that after doing a large amounts of rolls on concrete etc.. the back of my shoulder gets cut up, is this normal or is my technique flawed? Posted by: Ally Canaway at January 13, 2004 11:40 AMHi, ive been doing the sport for a little while but i thought it would be a good idea to start a team. Well anyway, me and a few friends started a free runnin team called 'renegade' and we have got loads of footage for a video we are making. So if there is anyone in Ipswich area who is interested please email me at we are pretty good so go for it. Posted by: Ben Cable at January 13, 2004 01:07 PMdefinatly check www.urbanfreeflow.com!! those guys that were lucky enough to join urbanfreeflow before december trained with sebastion foucan. It is an event we have organised in the past and will be happening again for all the new people to get a chance. Hi. Hi, my names alec, I saw the jump london programme and im gobsmacked!! Le parkour is amazing, its so cool and so watchable! seb & co are very talented, i want to achieve what they can do! I'm 18 and live in the leicester area. I am yet to hear of any clubs or groups that do le parkour, and my mates arent up for it so im stuck! If anyone wants to also take it up and is around the midlands area id love to hear from you e-mail me or phone 07747 795 752 Posted by: Alec at January 14, 2004 02:22 PMI'm a guy from Chile and I would like to learn everything you do since I enjoy practising martial arts, I watched the Ripley's believe it or not and saw you there, it would be enjoyable for me to see some videos or links from your page or to my email, I hope this video would be about the teaching of how to stand a high fall without being hurt, ok, www.multilevelmoves.com is a great website for tutorials and how to learn new moves Posted by: Joel at January 19, 2004 03:29 PMwww.parkour.org.uk - the website of the UK Parkour Association Posted by: sam matthews at January 19, 2004 07:27 PMHi every1. How you doin. Just wanna ask how you all doin at free running. Its just great. Chris Posted by: Chris at January 19, 2004 08:01 PMHi every one Jordan if anyone lives in london an wants to free run in south bank on the weekends e-mail me...i got a couple of mates who would want to go too. p.s. no paedophiles allowedpl Posted by: ben gross at January 22, 2004 01:42 PMif anyone lives in london an wants to free run in south bank on the weekends e-mail me...i got a couple of mates who would want to go too. p.s. no paedophiles allowed please...im still a virgin :) Posted by: ben gross at January 22, 2004 01:43 PMThis will probably sound stupid but what are the best sort of trainers around £30/£40 to do le parkour in, because most trainers don't have shock absorbers in or EVA footbed and it hurts my feet when I jump off something high Posted by: justin the hobo at January 27, 2004 08:05 PMfree running is heavy and needs to come to england ther is only us we need more people doing it Posted by: kane at January 29, 2004 11:54 AMI watched that program on Free Running over christmas and was captivated. In Chester, England, we've been doing a very scaled down version of Free Running that we call Pizzaboxing, we've been doing it for years. We describe it as skateboarding and rollerblading tricks done without the boads and skates. Tricks include grinding, stalling, jumps (from as high as 30ft) transfers and wall walks. We've been from one end of the city to the other without touching the pavements, jumping from rooftop to rooftop and sliding down the fire escapes. None of us are extremely athletic though so the moves are clumsy and it's sheer nerves alone that gets us through the course, if anyone wants to come down to Chester, (By Liverpool, England) and either show us your moves or we can teach you our curcuit. Email me at for more info. One tip I learned yesterday, NEVER Free Run/Pizza Box in New Rock boots!!! Regards, "But Sam will kill him if he tries anything." Posted by: Apache (Pete Matthews) at January 29, 2004 03:18 PM |