Parkour group “Zerogravity” With a leap through the city
Bonn · An 18-year-old founded an active and growing Parkour group in Bonn. The art of movement combines sports and life philosophy.
Running, jumping, climbing - and as quickly, effectively and elegantly as possible: Parkour is the name of this sport art for urban areas, originating in France and now regularly seen in the Bonn inner city. Jessaja Latala, an 18-year-old who was born in Berlin and grew up in Spain, is partly responsible for the newfound popularity of Parkour in Bonn. More than a year ago, she founded “Zerogravity,” Bonn’s first Parkour group. Since then, the group has grown quite a bit. “We are now more than 40 people,” says Latala.
“Zerogravity” is a registered sports association under the district of Bonn/Rhine-Sieg. Every Saturday from 1:00 until 6:00 p.m., the group trains in the sports hall of Nicholas Cusanus Gymnasium (high school) in Bad Godesberg. For advanced members, there are also meetings in the inner city which are organized over WhatsApp. Participants take part in the activity at their own risk. “What we are doing out there is not comparable to the official meetings of the association, we give no guidance and there is no protection when we jump over walls, benches or railings.” Such meetings take place at the Rhine or at the so-called “Bonner Loch” near the central train station.
Parkour was developed in the late 1980’s by Raymond Belle and his son, David. It was made popular in films, documentaries and advertisements. Raymond Belle was the son of a French doctor of the colonial army in Vietnam, and trained as a soldier during his time at school. He learned techniques about how to flee a dangerous situation and survive. His son, David transferred this principle of movement into urban areas.
Parkour is known as “The art of efficient movement.” The participants, called “Traceure” try to move as quickly and fluidly through an area as they can, often in an urban setting. The runners determine their own obstacle course, jumping railings, benches, walls and other built-in objects. As long as they don’t harm anyone or trespass on private property, it is allowed.
Viktor Merker went to school with Latala and like her, he has been a trainer for “Zerogravity” for five years now. “We make sure everyone is careful when they are scoping out new obstacles. We don’t encourage anyone to do anything where they don’t feel comfortable,” he says. Both Merker and Latala learned about Parkour on their own by observing YouTube videos and trying out the moves.
Parkour can be seen as a life philosophy. Latala finds that it’s about overcoming obstacles and recognizing that there’s always a way out. Merker likes the way that participants stick together and help each other out instead of competing against one another. “We have 5-year-olds and 50-year-olds joining in,” says Latala. “In the beginning, parents brought their kids but now they also participate.”
(Original text: Joshua Bung)
