Sunset Elementary+ Documentary Session (11-7-09)

[puck]

Yesterday a group of traceurs lit up Sunset Elementary with two back-to-back parkour jams. The first was organized by BAPK, and the second by some Napa Valley guys who wanted to shoot a documentary. A ton of people came and went as the day went on, each with something really great and unique to contribute: new insights, advice, or simply a great willingness to learn - usually all three.

We began at the upper level where the playground is, generally goofing off and exploring the area. It was here that I witnessed firsthand Giorgio's legendary dash vault, and learned (after some effort) to gate vault from Tom and a lady whose name I forgot to ask. :(
It was also where I pioneered my now-famous "turn vault into a bush" (it wasn't as painful as it sounds).

After we were ready to go somewhere new, we moved to this area with a bunch of smaller railed walls above a larger one - it really isn't easy to describe. Here we did a bunch of wall runs, where Tom and Jason exhibited their insane wall run skills. Seriously, the heights they were able to attain... they were inspiring. Leaving the others to the walls, Tom, Giorgio and I went to the portables, where we were able to practice chaining together multiple vaults. Giorgio did it especially well, and was kind enough to impart some wisdom to us.

We went on to several other areas, where I witnessed a great deal of insanely awesome things, among them dive kongs, huge precisions and some really great flow. As the day drew on, though, we were suspecting more and more that the documentary guys had bailed on us, and people began to leave, tired from the day's work. Tom and I though, since we lived so far from SF, decided to stay it through. I, for one, was glad that we did - the people who remained were truly hardcore, especially the purple Vans dude (another name I forgot to ask!) D:

At last, the documentary guys (who had been stuck in traffic) arrived, hauling with them this giant camera. Though some of them were quite skilled, others were beginners to the practice. Watching them nail new moves for the first time was really awesome, and by the end of the day, I felt that everybody had improved. Even the camera guy, who wasn't into doing parkour at all, tried a few vaults after his camera ran out of juice. Watching him put aside his observation and throwing himself into it was just the greatest.

I left exhausted but happy, glad that I had the chance to learn from all these great guys who showed up. A big "thank you" to everybody who was at the jam!

[SafeNSure]

...these write-ups are legendary!!!
:)

Gordon is talking about this Sunday basic and the following documentary filming sessions...

I'm so glad Seraph and his team found still someone there!

The ladies training at that point were Ina and Andrea (who run with us for the little exploration to the back).
The purple Vans guy, I know exactly who you're talking about, but can never remember his name either... I commit to learning it and get back to you about it...

[Fyrel]

These write ups are good stuff.....A lot of the times I mean to do the same kind of thing, but I'm terrible at getting around to it. Keep it up, it's really interesting to read about other people's experiences.