Speaking for myself, if I see a student standing on a high rooftop with eyes set on the ground, I would assume that the pressure has finally gotten to them and they are looking for the easy way out. However, after learning about the parkour phenomenon sweeping the campus, I would have to think twice. Parkour is the art of using the world around you as a natural obstacle course. A tree is no longer just a tree to parkour participants. It is just another obstacle in the world of parkour.
Unfamiliar with parkour? Courtney Souza weighs in with a history of this up-and-coming sport.
The parkour group at UMass has yet to achieve RSO status, however they are gaining momentum. Joe Meloni was able to sit down with the Parkour President Jackie Hai for an interview.
Much like any other alternative sport, it doesn't take long for commercialism to set in. We've seen companies use skateboarding, BMX and other alternative sports to appeal to younger audiences. Here is a Toyotal Scion commercial that shows parkour. Seems a bit misleading to me...what the hell does running and jumping have to do with driving a car?
Also, Jon Pelland gives us a god-like podcast detailing what parkour means to its participants.
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