Parkour is the art or discipline of movement through urban spaces. Two students here at Warren Woods Tower, Tristan Bethea ‘16 and Donald (Red) Townsend ‘15, are a part of a Parkour/free running team called B.I.A.
“B.I.A. started as a paintball group with family, it stands for Brothers in Arms. In 2012 me, Red, and our friends D.J. and Desmond made it into our free running team since we are all practically brothers,” says Tristan.
Not everyone knows this but Parkour athletes have two different names, either free runners or tracuers. “The difference between a free runner and a tracuer is that tracuers get from point A to point B as quickly and efficiently as possible, free runners do the same as tracuers except they add acrobatics and their own personal style,” stated Red.
“In training to become a free runner you must practice increasing your flexibility, stamina and upper body strength,” Red continues. “You have to practice so you feel safer when doing dangerous stunts,” adds Tristan.
Both Tristan and Red are both influenced by people such as Ryan Doyle, David Belle, and Ronnie Shalvis, who have taught them how to properly and safely perfect their stunts such as rolling, flipping and other needed skills.
Throughout the world there are many competitions for Parkour such as American Ninja Warrior and the Red Bull Art of Motion Competition. “You can’t compete until you turn 18 so we still have time to practice and further our skills,” says Tristan.
Although Parkour is fun it is also very dangerous. “I severely sprained my ankle free running. I was running on the edge of a wall, a gap about three by seven feet, when a brink underneath me broke off and I fell with it. I’m still recovering from that accident,” describes Tristan.
“Parkour teaches me discipline, dedication, and determination. I plan on practicing more to get better and use these skills when I enlist in the Army,” explains Red.
“From Parkour I’ve learned to never give up, and to never fear new things. I’m going to use these skills in my career in Law Enforcement,” added Tristan.
Parkour has taught them many things, yet the most important lesson to them has become their motto; a message they feel everyone should live by, “Feel the fear and do it anyways.”
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