The art of parkour

You’ve probably seen the sport “parkour” demonstrated more often than you’ve heard the name. The sport is returning to Idaho State University this year.

Parkour instructor, Colin Mahoney demonstrates the sport on wooden platforms, topped with blue tarps to prevent splinters and cuts from the wood.

“So parkour is a sport that goes by many definitions and it really means something different to everyone. But in its simplest form, parkour is getting from point A to point B quickly and efficiently as possible. Doing it in a style of your own, overcoming the obstacles that lie in between,” said Mahoney.

It’s been done in movies like Quantum of Solace starring Daniel Craig. But mahoney says in America, the sport is more of cross country with some vaulting because of so much space. It’s usually performed in a small or confined area.

“There’s also a completely different section of parkour which involves a lot of flipping, a lot of the acrobatics that you see on YouTube,” said Mahoney.

He says a rewarding aspect for him is watching his students go from the first day with no knowledge at all of the sport, to seeing them conquer it at the end.

As of now, classes are only open to ISU students, but Mahoney is hoping to expand classes to the community in the future.

Parkour classes begin in the Fall at Reed Gym.

For information as an ISU student on how to enroll, email Mahoney at: Mahocoli@isu.edu