Tennis and Parkour?... [Parkour 2010 Video]

[STtennis]

Hey everyone,

As an avid tennis player for my age, I've been out playing tennis provincially as a junior for the past 4-5 years. I've been playing among the tennis juniors up here in Canada and met all through clubs or at tournaments. I'm not sure whether this applies to other areas or states but... for some odd reason almost a good one-third of tennis players (Provincial juniors at least) do 'Parkour'. I know its 'out of the hype' after being so popular a few years back but after taking a break from tennis this summer- out every single day for at least 3-4 hours whether its court time or training, my friends and I decided to make a Parkour video for fun. Although Parkour itself has such a wide relation with tennis, the conditioning applied is pretty much universal. After working out, little things like my footwork seems cleaner and definitely quicker.

We're all students and made this 'chase' video for fun. We made this video to post up on our friend's channel since its summer for all of us and we'd just thought this might be interesting. I don't want to sound like a shameless plug or anything but if you can, please watch and possibly provide some feedback (Maybe there's other Parkour practitioners/ fans out here on the TT forums? )

Here's the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1C6lR0mha4

If anything, I felt like posting and sharing this since my entire summer has been occupied with these two activities. I'd be wake up early, condition/ workout, lunch, tennis from 1-ish to 4-ish, Parkour training from 4 to dinner, tennis at night til 11. Might sound like a boring and repetitious summer but its been fun so far Maybe other tennis teenagers out there might gain interest in Parkour?

The unfortunate truth is, both these sports are dying off around where I live in Canada. Parkour never hit big here and people either lose interest or dedication. Tennis is slowly becoming obsolete- most of my tennis hitting partners or friends are taking long breaks from the sport or worse, quitting it entirely. Watching these two sports die off hasn't been so great that's why I'm trying to spark interest in both these areas- Sad how I have to manage an entire school tennis team at my age since no teachers are willing to take stand in organizing the team. However if all this seems 'stupid' or 'shameful plug' or anything, I understand how you might generate your opinion and that's alright. But for those who can help out that'd be great

If there's any tennis juniors/ players around the GTA (Ontario, Canada) or Parkour practitioners around this area, message me up as I really want to get out before school starts.

Thanks!

 

[flyinghippos101]

Wow, that reminds me. Years ago when I was in Toronto for a tourny, we met up with some kids in Markham at a club (don't remember which one) and some of them were practicing parkour. Me and the other kids from Nova Scotia thought they were crazy

 

[scotus]

If you are serious about tennis, I don't think you should practice much parkour.

Both are high-impact sports, and combining the two would take its toll on your joints. You might get away with it while you are still young, but your joints will age prematurely and you will pay a steep price down the road.

If you must keep doing the free running, I suggest you keep it to grass, sand, and other soft surfaces.

 

[scotus]

And think about investing in some maximum shock-absorbing insoles made of either Sorbothane or Kevlar.

 

[STtennis]

Hey everyone, sorry for the late reply.

I completely understand the barrier that might seem controversial about practicing both tennis and Parkour. However, I choose to take both sports seriously. It's not that I'm the type to do everything and not be good at anything. I've reached and sustained a provincial ranking for over the past four years and reached the national program here last summer.

I think its the misunderstanding of using 'Parkour' in this context. I continue to practice it based on its true meaning of developing efficiency and flow in movement,- none of the freeunning aspects of jumping off endless stories while doing flips, etc. Ultimately, I train at parks and occasionally gyms with either spongy rubber, grass, or matted surfaces. I still withstand the temptations to cross into freerunning but from several of my friend's experiences, I know the consequences. I do appreciate how you are concerned for my safety regarding my health and performance for both sports. I ensure you that I have that covered, just ask my fitness coach

@ flyinghippos101: Haha its actually really rare to find people practicing Parkour here other than downtown Toronto. Everywhere else including where I live is almost deserted.

 

[spacediver]

where in toronto was that filmed? Markham or something?

You involved in the OTA masters invitational junior tournament at Winston Churchill park by any chance?

 

[SplitStepper]

What a cool video! You guys are amazing! It looks like an awesome workout. I say keep it up. Unless you suffer a fall, this definitely helps your tennis. I want to try, but I'm too old to start something that crazy.

 

[STtennis]

where in toronto was that filmed? Markham or something?

You involved in the OTA masters invitational junior tournament at Winston Churchill park by any chance?

Hey,

It was filmed in Richmond Hill, just north of Toronto and no, I'm not signed up for that tourney. I trained at Rexall for the last 2 years and went back and forth between York and Adventure Valley/ TTC. I still go there ocassionally for lessons for competition tune-ups but mostly stick with private lessons. You may notice a 'hole' of me not appearing at any tourneys or lessons for about a month- had a long vacation and took time to get back into it

@SplitStepper- Yeah those courses we create really stretch out our endurance. Course itself isn't too too long but with all the climbing and vaults, it all adds up It's pretty much Parkour for me during the afternoons and tennis training in the evening and night. I'll keep in mind not to fall