More Older S’poreans Taking Up Parkour; Coaches Hope to Improve Legitimacy of the Sport

2021-04-11 , 3:02 pm

You’ve seen it in action movies when the hero takes a dramatic leap over platforms.

Maybe you saw someone do it in real life and got scared, only for them to land on their feet perfectly.

Whatever it is, we can all admit parkour is a pretty darn cool sport, if a bit dangerous looking.

More Older S’poreans Taking Up Parkour; Coaches Hopes to Improve Legitimacy of the Sport

But oftentimes, we attribute this sport to younger people, especially men, doing this sport.

However, an article from TODAY showed that older folk and women were also getting into this action-packed scene as well.

Mr Tan Shie Boon, managing director of Move Academy, which offers parkour classes, even managed to get his 56-year-old mother into it.

In fact, his mom still actively practices it today.

His parents were initially worried when he took up the sport, but eventually were encouraged him in his pursuit

The 29-year-old has been coaching parkour for about five years after a year of practising the sport.

In fact, one of Mr Tan’s students, a 58-year-old housewife, was surprised that he conducted classes for those in their 50s and 60s.

Though initially wary, his classes taught her step by step. This included jumping from lower heights along with maintaining balance and strength.

“For older people, managing how you fall down, and managing jumps from low heights and balance, all these things are important as we age.”

As mentioned, parkour is extremely movement-based and comes with the notion that the acts are dangerous.

But is it really, though? Every sort of sport has a risk after all.

For example, even a sport like soccer could seem dangerous if one is struck by a ball at high speed.

Mr Koh Chen Pin, 27, and Move Academy’s parkour head coach, thinks parkour is not as scary as it looks.

However, he does understand why some parents may worry when viewing the sport.

He says all training is done progressively, starting from more fundamental techniques before advancing on.

Mr Koh is also one of the leading members of Parkour Singapore, the main community for the sport.

When we’ve learnt or done something cool, there’s a desire for us to want to show it to others.

And these parkour coaches are no different.

In fact, back in September 2019, Mr Koh organised the Lion City Gathering, a parkour and free-running gathering event.

It took place at The Star Vista at Buona Vista and was one of the biggest of such gatherings in Asia.

The National Youth Council said that through the National Youth Fund, they have supported the event since 2017.

And another one would happen last year, if not for COVID-19.

Still, the council says it will continue to support such initiatives and encouraged practitioners of it to take precautions.

In fact, Mr Koh also states that people who claim ‘parkour’ while doing illegal acts shouldn’t be welcome in the community.

He’ll even make sure his students who engage in risky behaviour outdoors be counselled.

“They just need to make sure they know the consequences of missing a jump.”

Ultimately, Mr Koh would like the sport to become more recognised and supported by the government.

Featured Image: Instagram (movesingapore)