Respect.

Ok, some of you aren't going to like what I've got to say... tough... it's true. Some of you will agree 100%.

After the events that took place at the City Jam on Saturday I felt that I should probably put up a quick post about respect and hopefully open a few people eyes.

I've been attending the City Jam sessions for quite a while now. I've enjoyed them immensely. I've learned a lot and share a lot of my knowledge with others. Until this weekend gone I was quite proud of the fact that I'd trained all over the city and never once had a run in with security/police/general public. I hadn't had a problem training before because of the way I train, the way I treat my environment, the way I treat others I train with and the way I treat those I come into contact with - with respect.

I was quite offended this weekend by other peoples (and it was only a small number of the whole but it only takes one as we have seen) 'I can do what I want' attitude. It's extremely disrespectful and beyond the lack of respect for the environment, for Parkour itself and for any general public around it's very disrespectful to those you're training with. When you act like that you ruin things not only for yourself but for everyone else who enjoys training in those spaces and anyone in the future who might like to.

Just because you don't think anyone is watching, because there's no cameras etc doesn't mean that you can just go ahead and do whatever you want to. The philosophy behind Parkour doesn't just apply when you want it to or when someone is watching or there to call you on it. Parkour is a way of life, every minute, every day. I saw some people really striving to better themselves physically and mentally on the weekend, and I saw a few who seemed determined to destroy themselves.

I won't be attending any more City Jam sessions from now on as I can't afford to be associated with people who're going to do that sort of thing. Some of you might not have thought about it previously but I've worked very hard to give Parkour in Townsville a lot of opportunities. This is not just my personal life, it's my work also. I've fought hard to get people to even listen and be open to Parkour being a positive thing. I've helped to get guys up from Brisbane to share their skills and knowledge with you (it's also very disrespectful to them in my opionion that some of you haven't listened to/followed the message that Raamon, Tony and Adam have given about Parkour). I've had equipment made for us to use when training in areas that don't have enough to offer naturally.... all of these things and more I've done and there's soo many opportunities that are sitting on the horizon that I'm working soo hard to get to. I don't want praise, I don't claim to be a Parkour guru, I'm just doing what I can for something I love and something I see bringing my community soo much benefit.

By taking on the role of being part of the leadership group for Parkour in Townsville it has also meant that when things go wrong they often fall on my head - which is part of why it's so important to me that things don't. When you're standing on a three story roof for no reason at all other than showing off, I'm the one who gets the call. When you damage a garden bed or leave an area dirty, I get hastled about it.. When you're in an area you shouldn't be in and get caught on a camera you didn't see - I have to explain... That's why from now on I won't be part of group Jams like the City Jam. I'd rather train by myself or with a small group of friends that I trust. I'd rather run the groups I'm running for work where there's a little more structure and if anyone isn't participating properly they'll simply be asked to leave...

Lastly, a message for the person who got caught by the police doing something they shouldn't have been doing and then pointed me out as the leader of a group that I was only a part of (City Jam never has been my group, I've only ever been part of it). I can't believe how rude you are and you obviously don't even care enough to send me a message/email or give me a call and apologise. Why on earth you felt like you should lead the police to me when you'd done the wrong thing I don't know.

I would like to apologise as this is at least in part my fault for bringing him.

I don't mean to disrespect your opinion or the fact that your feel ripped off by what happened Saturday, but there is a lot of things i feel i should explain. Firstly and probably most importantly, i cant vouch for why Logan (the person in question) did not apologize to you on the day, but he has no account on this forum, does not know any other contact numbers other than mine, and is overall not really an active member of the TPC., so he cannot contact you now. He doesn't actually attend jams that often, so i don't think he really knows how to act or what rules or basic etiquette he should follow. He didn't meet the Brisbane traceurs either.

I know the kid personally, and i'm pretty sure he didnt do it purposely to disrespect the environment or to show off. He just goes a bit far sometimes, and doesn't consider the consequences of his actions.

I'm not saying that Logan didn't deserve the tirade you just supplied. the guy's been doing parkour for at least 2-3 years. but obviously he needs to rethink his idea of parkour, I don't think, however that he meant to break the rules and ruin it for everyone, he just doesn't realize his consequences.

- Ethan.

P.S. I did not, climb to the roof to show off. An integral part of parkour is pushing yourself to the limits, beyond the normal paths of society. I saw a path and followed it, wherever it led.. i did not, as you say, climb three stories to a roof to show off.

'I did not, climb to the roof to show off. An integral part of parkour is pushing yourself to the limits, beyond the normal paths of society. I saw a path and followed it, wherever it led.. i did not, as you say, climb three stories to a roof to show off.'

Why did you climb the roof then, in the middle of the day, when you could have stayed out of sight? I agree that pushing some limits is what parkour is about, but to do so in such a stupid manner where the consequences for failure could be serious injury/death is just plain stupid.

Take this point to heart ethan - I have trained for 6 years now, and I can push myself just as hard at ground level. It does not require climbing public structures in the middle of the day. If you want to get a feel for heights, I can put you in touch with the local climbing club, where I can assure you that you will learn what fear really is...

Parkour in Europe has progressed because the majority of practitioners respect the area and the people they are training around. We clean up before and after training, move on immediately when asked, and stay off heights and large public places (at least during daylight hours) and when we do occasionally get in trouble, we stand up and take responibility for their actions. To do anything else flies in the face of the spirit of what we are about, and is not parkour.

Okay. I don't think i wrote that properly. I wasn't actually trying to get on the roof. It wasn't my goal to end up there, i hadn't even thought of trying to get on top of the building. I was already on the second story, and I had followed a path that was fairly horizontal and out of sight. I had no intention of going somewhere potentially dangerous.

I know that regardless of my intentions, i did end up on the roof. And i do know that I could have been seen, and that the potential for injury/death from falling three stories off a slanted roof is high. I was not though as dave put it, showing off on a three story roof. I was up there for a couple of minutes, before i realized where i was and how easy it was for me to be seen.

I'm not trying to defend my actions. I know what i did was stupid and dangerous, and that i could have hurt myself and my surroundings, which is why i got down after a few minutes. I just wanted Dave (and you too i suppose) to know that being there in the first place had nothing to do with getting a feel for heights, or wanting to show off.

It was stupid. I admit that. I did not think before i decided to take the last vault onto the top of the roof, and i continued to walk around like an idiot surveying my surroundings for a few minutes before realizing people could see me.

I have trained for 6 years now, and I can push myself just as hard at ground level. It does not require climbing public structures in the middle of the day.

This is one of the main things i try to stress at jams.
Anyone can do a 1m precision but on a rooftop, when your looking down 10m can become pretty hard ( not to mention the fact that it only takes 1 thing to go wrong )
That's why we tell others to stay at ground level & if you must do something to do it out of site.

I think you're missing another point too Ethan. Part of the philosophy behind Parkour is Control - mentally and physically. You're implying that you were moving with very little thought or consideration for your destination or even the very next obstacle. Parkour is all about being aware of your surroundings, seeing not only what's comming up next but also what's the next 3+ challenges you're about to face and also what's the risks and what's the 'outs' if you do make a mistake and need one.

Regardless of your intention in getting to being on the roof you need to be aware of how that looks to others, both in the group and out of it. If I felt at the time that there was a bit of a 'show off' nature to it then how do you think it looked to someone who knew nothing of our purpose at that location and just happened to spot you? I can tell you because I spoke to to one of them... I had a phone call from a police officer who'd spoken with the security at TAFE after a member of the public spotted you from two blocks away and made a phone call. The officer was told by the TAFE security who'd seen us there at the time and left us alone (but probably won't again) and was told that there was a large group of young people doing some kind of physical exercise with running and jumping. The officer then linked that and the timing of it to the group of young people he'd spoken to in the mall and having written my name down first and having had me identified me as the leader of the group he came to my house and interviewed me. I was VERY lucky not to be charged, Parkour Townsville will be very lucky not to have that come back to haunt them for years and I'm very lucky that it hasn't yet impacted my work or the amazing partnerships I've been able to create with places like Upper Ross PCYC and The Youth Network NQ Inc.

For anyone who's wondering how I did handle that situation... it was with a whole lot of fear, respect and confidence. I was very fearful for myself, my family and for Parkour Townsville and all the things that could be lost. I gave the officer 110% respect while at the same time letting him know - by my actions and tone rather than words - that I was to be respected also and that I wasn't some little punk. I was confident that I had personally done nothing wrong, that I had done my best to disuade people from doing the wrong thing (I can't remember how many times I spoke to the group or parts of it about doing the right thing...). We talked for a good long tie about Parkour, where and what it is, how we're using it soo succesffully with Lifeline programs etc. I reasurred him that I would continue to do the right thing, that when asked to move on I'd be more than happy to and that I wouldn't use private spaces unless I'd gotten permission first. I also promised him that I'd continue to promote the positive side of Parkour and discourage the stupidity that he and others had seen over the weekend. He knows where I live, he knows my name, where I work, my phone number and if anything goes wrong in future it's now on my head whether I'm involved or not and that's a really horrible position to be in... I have a 10 month old son and a wife at home and it's quite stressful and embarrassing to stand in the front yard for more than half an hour taling to a police officer (let alone the fact that I also missed out on over 1/3 of the time I get to see my son for the day because I get home from work and he goes to bed by about 7pm).

What you did was stupid. Plain and simple. I didn't want to point out all of the consequences but if I don't then people don't get how much impact they have. I don't mean to sound too harsh on you mate because I think you have a lot to offer (that's the reason I allowed you to take the role you took at the Upper Ross Monday Class). I think you just need to use your head and your heart a little more before you act.

Man, thats not good :S
I think we will be lucky to come out of this.
But yes this one lil incident almost threw 2years of hard work trying to promote parkour as a positive/safe thing down the drain.
And Almost Got Us Charged ?

Were going to have to have a quick talk ( while were warming-up ) at the start of jams. Really focusing on safety, rules & getting everyone able to roll / getting out of bad situations when they happen. I think from now on we shouldn't train in any government buildings ( not that we have ).


Really sorry what has happened Dave.
I should have just taken the leader roll.

I can't stress enough on 'taddle tails'. . . If your doing something that your not meant to be and get caught, never try to bring others down with you ( even when involved ).
You have it as bad as its going to get already and pointing fingers only get more people in the sh1t, your not going to get off easier !

We have much to learn guys so i'll see you all at thursdays jam

crap Dave i had no idea. I didn't know how close a call that was for you. Dude I'm really sorry.

I know what i did was stupid man, there's no need to point that out. but yeah i had no idea what was at stake for you. I see why you're so pissed about this whole ordeal.. and honestly you have every right to be.

I will try and think first in future, and feel free to call me down if you think i'm doing something that would endanger the image of parkour in townsville. that goes for anyone.

I'll say it right now. Everybody, I'm really sorry. what i did was idiotic.

Yes, over the past when i see kids jumping from 2m or people on roofs i just turned a blind eye & continued what i was doing.

From now on if i see anyone doing something that i wouldn't personally do or if i feel its a bit out of there reach I'll put em up & explain to them what the coincidences are. If they choose to continue that's fine but as long as the acknowledge the risks involved.
If i see something that will involve the whole group if caught I'll be going through my NO TOLERANCE speech again


Might be good to sit down one arvo and put forward some needed rules for the Tpc as this stuff can happen anytime, anywhere & unless we gets these messages forward to the practitioners I fell that i could happen in the future as well.

Code:

I will try and think first in future, and feel free to call me down if you think i'm doing something that would endanger the image of parkour in townsville. that goes for anyone.

I'll say it right now. Everybody, I'm really sorry. what i did was idiotic.

Yes/No/Yes. . .
We all get into these predicaments without knowing & can be small things like climbing onto a roof or precision to a ledge and it breaks. But as we have been saying to everyone for years ' It only takes 1 thing to go wrong '

Also I'm not liking the "try" in your post
So hopefully we can put this behind us, plan for the future & have a new Safe TPC.

haha i can't promise that i will not do something stupid. because no matter how much i try, there's always a chance. That is the best i can do man. I will try my hardest.

As long as everyone 'try's' I'll be extremely happy guys

Not just you Ethan, your pretty good, Just i think were really going to have to show others the philosophy & why we actually train the art of parkour.
As i'm certain if everyone can understand why we do it, It'll change the way they act,train,move & make things a whole lot easier for everyone else.

Dave's moday sessions will really help us out with this too

I know.. next one's day after tomorrow and i don't know if im not still sore from the last one... lol

Haha, I'm sure you'll be right

Glad to see everyone's improvements on the way they train.
I just got back from the mall, Johno was down there and he had a run with us.

Besides him falling off a 3m roof ( he's fine, lol ) i was really impressed with the way he trains now, as i'm sure some guys on this forum know how he used-to treats things !

Great job mate, I'm really impressed with how much you've improved and the way you look at things while training the art of parkour.
Might wanna check out Dave's training sessions on Mondays/ Thursdays, as i'm sure you will meet some other traceurs to train with + it's a nice session to get a warm-up in if you haven't trained in a while aswell.