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Parkour UK is happy to close 2022 with some updates regarding our Level 2 Parkour Coaching Qualification. We have broken down the course information below.

The Level 2 Journey

The new Level 2 journey has now been broken down into three phases.

• Online course – 3 x 4-hour sessions on Zoom

You will participate in 3 online sessions on Zoom. These will be a mix of online discussions, small group activities, and workbook activities.  

• Face-to-face course –  3 & ½ consecutive days outdoors  

You will participate in 3 & ½ days face-to-face in an outdoor location. These days will be a mix of practical & coaching sessions and workbook activities.  

• Final Assessment – 1 day outdoors 

You will take part in your final assessment up to 1 year after the course. This is a formal assessment day where you demonstrate a mix of technical and coaching criteria including delivering a coaching session 

SAVE THE DATES

In 2023, we have a Spring and Summer intake.

SPRING INTAKE

Online Course: 13th-15th March 0930-1300PM 

Followed by our face-to-face courses (Learners will choose one) 

London
14th – 17th April
Day 1 – 13:00 PM – 17:30 PM
Day 2/3/4 – 09:00 AM – 17:30 PM 

OR 

Cardiff
2nd – 5th May
Day 1 – 13:00 PM – 17:30 PM
Day 2/3/4 – 09:00 AM – 17:30 PM

SUMMER INTAKE

Online Course
5th – 7th June 09:30 AM – 13:00 PM 

Followed by our face-to-face courses (Learners will choose one) 

London
5th – 7th July
Day 1 – 13:00 PM – 17:30 PM
Day 2/3/4 – 09:00 AM – 17:30 PM

OR 

Glasgow
7th -10th August
Day 1 13:00 PM – 17:30 PM
Day 2/3/4 – 09:00 AM – 17:30 PM 

Assessment Dates 

You will choose a final assessment day after the face-to-face course.

On our Assessment Days, you will take part in your final assessment up to 1 year after the course. This is a formal assessment day where you demonstrate a mix of technical and coaching criteria including delivering a coaching session.

• Cardiff – 1st September 
• London – 6th October 
• London – 7th October 
• Cardiff – 27th November 

Further assessment dates will be released in 2024 in Glasgow, Sheffield, and London 

Booking And More

Full Details of the course, criteria and materials, and booking links will be available on 1^st February 2023.

On Tuesday, December 6th, we attended the UK Coaching Awards event for the first time.

In its 25-year history, this was the first time Parkour coaches were nominated, and we had three very talented and inspiring coaches become shortlisted as finalists;

Sam Coppack – “The Parkour Coach Companion,” was nominated for the “Podcast of the Year” Award – Parkour Coach Companion continues to keep people connected with regular interviews and engaging episodes, bringing together international voices of parkour and curating coaching knowledge from the community.

Adam Romaine – Change a Life Award – Adam has had a profound impact on a young person named Matthew, who has Down syndrome and other complex needs. He has helped Matthew overcome significant barriers to taking part in parkour, having previously tried many other sports.

Callum Windsor – Young Coach of the Year Award – In multiple ways, Callum goes above and beyond with his sessions. His session planning extends to 3D modelling of floor plans with a detailed analysis of the optimum use of equipment. He then cascades this knowledge down to the assistant coaches and volunteers, ensuring participants enter an environment that feels structured, safe, and directed.

Although none were chosen as winners, their selection as finalists demonstrates the impact they are having and the importance of sports like parkour.

We loved the celebration of coaches and coaching, from the grassroots and the elite all the way to the volunteer/paid and new/lifelong coaches.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists, all of whom demonstrate the impact of sport on people’s lives.

The evening was also an opportunity to enhance the relationships that we are building with other system partners to support the Sport England strategy #UnitingTheMovement.

We were joined by other members at Parkour UK, our chair Dr Tracy Rea, and Elected Director Chris Keighley. They entertained some leaders from the sector, with whom we are building strategic partnerships.

We were also joined by;

Hayley Lever from GreaterSport, which are an active partnership for Greater Manchester. They lead, support, and connect the Greater Manchester system to create conditions to enable Active Lives for All by uniting communities and creating more equal and inclusive places so people can lead happier, healthier, and more fulfilled lives.

James Hope-Gill from Skateboard GB, the official governing body for skateboarding in the UK, a membership-based and not-for-profit organisation set up to improve, support, and develop skateboarding. They aim to encourage the development of world-class facilities, help community groups get local skate parks built, create accredited coaching courses, and run competitions. 

Clare Freer from UK Coaching, supports the development of coaches and coaching, with the main focus on equality and inclusive practice. They do this directly with coaches through workshops, e-learning, virtual classrooms, and communities of learning.

We were also joined by Greg Clements from Sport England, who met and heard the stories of the parkour finalists and listened to the progress that we are making through our system and the governing roles that are supporting the national strategy.

Our All Hands Meeting

On Wednesday and Thursday, the team spent some time together at the UK Coaching offices in the center of Leeds.

It was the second time that Callun Lavington, Lynn Jung, Kieran Wylde, Simon Vardy, Chris Grant, and Dan Newton have come together as a team, and highlighted all of the key work they have done since our last all-hands meeting in September. It was also really valuable to enhance relationships and understand each other’s work.

Mark Gannon, UK Coaching’s CEO, spent some time with us, speaking passionately about their work and the progress they have made in the last few years.

This year, we have been working with Lizzie Campbell, who has helped us with the review of our Level 2 coaching course, and we look forward to extending our work with UK Coaching in 2023.

A brilliant week for us all at Parkour UK, and we are looking forward to what 2023 has to bring for us and the sport of Parkour.

https://parkour.uk/uk-coaching-awards/

Training parkour in the winter, or in wet, rainy conditions in a safe and controlled manner is encouraged here at Parkour UK.
The UK is notorious for horrible weather during the winter. Lots of rain, heavy snowfall, and dark, cold evenings approaching quicker seem to be regular, but we strongly believe you should still practice parkour, whatever the weather!

Here are some examples of training in different weather conditions.

We also have information, advice, and guidance (IAG) on our website which details a little bit more regarding training outdoors.

Parkour/Freerunning is a sport that needs and requires the same dedication, discipline, and attention as any other sport.

Parkour encourages humility, respect for others and for one’s environment, self-expression, community spirit, and the importance of play, discovery, and safety at all times.

Our IAG outlines some important practices for parkour traceurs and practitioners to follow. We have also listed this below, but will highlight some of the key points for training in winter conditions, and build on them for some extra information.
Of course, it goes without saying. All of our recommendations are important, regardless of the weather or situation you are training in, but being able to adapt is a key skill of parkour, and some additional details need to be focused on.

It is recommended that practitioners:

• Select an appropriate training area
• Be respectful of your surroundings
• Check your surfaces and structures
• Leave the area you’re training in as you found it (or tidier than it was!)
• Be courteous to members of the public, other practitioners, and those around you
• Think of the health of your body, both in the short and long-term
• Appropriately assess the level of the movements being performed against your own skill level
• Train in an overall safe and healthful manner: remember the central motto of Parkour/Freerunning is ‘To Be and To Last’
• Through your actions and conduct always be a good ambassador for Parkour/Freerunning

Selecting An Area, Be Respectful of Your Surroundings, and Checking Your Surfaces

When it is dark, cold, wet, or covered in snow, it is always crucial to select an appropriate training area. Some areas might be out of reach during these times, particularly in the snow. Whilst we do recommend trying to hit your regular training spots, please don’t put yourself at any risk trying to access these areas.
When heavy snow falls, individuals and businesses have to slightly adapt. Because of this, training in some highly populated areas might not be possible. Again, use your initiative and previous history at spots to gain an understanding of the wider picture.

Checking your surfaces should be done during any training session, regardless of the conditions you are training in. In parkour, our trust should come 100% in our abilities and what we are able to do. Leaving even the smallest bit of faith on an unchecked surface could result in injury. Go through the usual checks, the weather may have weakened some structures. Of course, if you’re training in the rain, check the surfaces you are landing on also. Adapt to the environment around you, understand your ability, and do not put yourself at unnecessary risk.

Appropriately assess the level of the movements being performed against your own skill level / Training in a safe manner

Building on the last point, appropriately assess the level of the movements being performed against your own skill level. Training in dark, wet, icy, or snowy conditions may not be the best time to see how far your running precision (A jump from one precise point to another) is.

Use this time to drill technique, practice landings, or explore different styles of movement. If you deem anything unsafe to try, listen to your body and mind. It isn’t worth risking injury for the sake of a movement.

Through your actions and conduct always be a good ambassador for Parkour/Freerunning

No matter the weather, being a good ambassador for Parkour & Freerunning is always something to follow when out training. Members of the public might be confused as to why you’re training during these conditions. Take the time to engage with members of the public, explain what it is you’re doing, and the benefit it has on you, and leave every conversation and interaction better than how it started.

Other Tips

Undercover Spots: If you’re lucky, your local training area may have some undercover spots that are sheltered from the worst of the weather conditions. This does not mean it will always be perfect. Some of these spots might be damp or icy still, so all of the points above still remain. Try mixing it up a little bit. Have the undercover spot as part of your training day, rather than the sole focus.

Indoor Facilities: There are a number of parkour gyms open across the UK that run open jam sessions throughout the winter. These indoor facilities can be used to practice some techniques and movements in a safe environment. You can check out a list of member organisations and gyms here.