HISTORY
‘LEARN AND UNDERSTAND FROM HISTORY.’
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HISTORY OF PARKOUR
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MODERN PHYSICAL EDUCATION
1804
GutsMuths describes a ‘gymnastic course’ in which various obstacles have to be overcome.
1811
Public gymnastics in the great outdoors emerges.
1819
Ban on public gymnastics until 1842 -> Gymnastics in closed rooms and halls.
1840
A. Spieß disciplines gymnastics more and more. The first beginnings of girls‘ gymnastics were created.
1850
The military uses gymnastic elements for training purposes.
1906
Arbeiter-Turnerbund brought gymnastics back into the open.
1980
Free gymnastics’ on apparatus was developed under the direction of Schmidt-Sinns (DTB). This means that gymnastics can be practised by schoolchildren and amateur athletes free from the standards of artistic gymnastics.
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MÈTHODE NATURELLE
1875-1957
Georges Hèrbert developed a special method for training body and mind. His training principle was based on natural forms of movement in nature. Running, jumping, climbing and balancing were the main movements for which there were special climbing and balancing frames.
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LE PARKOUR
1989
David Belle develops Le Parkour with his friends (Yamakasi) in the Parisian suburb of Lisse. His father Reymond Belle had taught him movement skills from the mèthode naturelle. The Yamakasi transferred the movements to the urban terrain and overcame walls, railings, stairs, facades and roofs. The Yamakasi group developed ‘the art of movement’ (l’art du déplacement / ADD). For David Belle, the main objective was to get from A to B in the most efficient way, which is why he split from the Yamakasi group.
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FREERUNNING
2001
Sébastian Foucan (also Yamakasi) had different views and expanded the art of movement with acrobatics. Attractive and creative movements were integrated into the urban environment and specialised.
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MEDIEN
2001
The film, music and advertising industries recognise the appeal of parkour and freerunning.
The first films are shot:
2001
2004
2004
2008
2009
2011
2012
Yamakasi – The samurai of modernity
Ghettogangz
Yamakasi – The dark site
Ghettogangz 2
Parkour
Freerunner
Street Run
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PAWA
2005
David Belle founds the Parkour Worldwide Association (PAWA). In 2006, he distances himself from the PAWA again due to differences of opinion.
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REDBULL
2007
Redbull launches Art of Motion, the biggest tournament in the parkour scene. Traceurs from all over the world compete against each other.
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GERMANY
2007
A meeting of the German-speaking parkour community is held in Basel with the aim of uniting to form an organisation. ParkourONE is founded in 2009. Further parkour groups are founded throughout Germany. Jams and events take place regularly.
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BERLIN
There are many different groups and clubs in Berlin that offer parkour. Here are some of them:
Ashigaru
Free1Germany
Fußgänger
JESP
Metropolis Parkour
myParkour
ParkourAcademie
Parkour-Lernen
Parkour Kleinmachnow
ParkourONE Berlin
Pfeffersport
More and more parkour facilities have been built in Berlin in recent years. Here are some of them:
2013
Moabit Zick-Zack-Zwingli (Trace Space)
2014
Parkour Park Spandau Falkenseer Chaussee (x Move)
Parkour Park Spandau Obstallee (x Move)
Parkour Park Hellersdorf (Trace Space)
2015
SJC Prenzlauer Berg (Trace Space)
2018
Parkour Park Schottenburg (Wannseebahn e.V. und Fußgänger)
Parkour Park Kleinmachnow
2019
Parkour Park Anton Saefkow Park (Trace Space)
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UGA
The UGA (Urban Gathering), a car park event, has been held once a year since 2020. Various coaches are here to offer courses. The event lasts two days, is a Berlin.ev project and offers an insight into new training methods. In addition to the courses, there is an adventure game, a free jam and a barbecue.
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Sources: Schmidt-Sinns, Scholl, Pach: Le Parkour and Freerunning, Basisbuch für Schulen und Vereine, 2010 Meyer & Meyer Verlag, Aachen
Witfeld, Gerling, Pach: Parkour and Freerunning entdecke deine Möglichkeiten, 2010 Meyer & Meyer Verlag, Aachen