this is such a tired debate, and I wouldn’t have brought it all back up if it wasn’t for the fact that i have seen the biggest proof that Parkour and free-running are in no way the same thing!
Parkour was a development of our natural ability to move, and is used by many as their escape not just physically, but mentally. Parkour means a lot to those of us who practice for the love of the discipline, and love for developing themselves and others. but the words free running have always hung over our heads as a kind of incentive. impress people and they will take you seriously. in fact they treat you more like a performer than a practitioner. and this is my exact point. free running seems to be for the performance, not for the practice.
i would like to bring to your attention:
World Freerun Championships 2008
3 SEPTEMBER 2008
from urbanfreeflow
For one night only, the first-ever World Freerun Championships will be staged at our legendary Roundhouse, where a specially-designed course will be constructed as a massive challenge to twenty of the world’s top freerunners . This ground-breaking event is a global celebration, which will showcase the awesome artistry of the best from the scene. Each athlete will perform to the accompaniment of his own individually selected soundtrack and in a unique twist, each will be judged by his fellow performers, on athletic skill, creativity, complexity and above all, “flow”
