There are a ton of fabulous sports and activities available at Wilsonville High School. These options come in both official OSAA-sponsored and club events. They create an array of choices that welcome all high school students.

But there is one athletic activity that is not receiving enough attention: parkour. For those who don’t know, parkour is an athletic training discipline in which practitioners attempt to get from point A to point B in a fluid fashion, without assisting equipment, in the most efficient way possible.

There are many ways in which parkour is making its way into the cultural mainstream. For example, American Ninja Warrior is still one the most popular obstacle course shows on television. The show is in its 13th season, and is still airing new episodes every week.

As for Wilsonville High School, there are students in this school that are extremely passionate about the athletic event. Lucas Servignat is a senior at Wilsonville High and has been training in parkour for six years. He has made his opinion very clear on the expansion of the event. 

“I think parkour should become a club sport at Wilsonville because it’s teaching people to get to know their bodies. It is a really good way to find your own limits and find out how your body functions. You get to understand the extremes of what your body can accomplish,” he said.

Like any other athletic sport or activity, becoming skilled in this event is no easy task. It takes a lot of practice and willingness to improve. “It takes time and practice. Practice gradually,” Servignat added. “I can’t stress this enough, don’t start with 10 foot gap jumps.”

It takes a lot of physical effort, but there is also a ton of grit needed on the mental side.

“Psychologically, you have to be willing to overcome some pretty big fears. Fear of heights is one for a lot of people. There are things that your body will be able to do that your mind will say no to. It’s all about overcoming those fears, commented Servignat.

This sport is NOT all work and no play! Zach Dollar is a junior at Tualatin High School and has been training in parkour for six years. He shares his favorite part about the sport:

“I love the freedom that this sport gives me. It makes me feel truly like myself. I can be myself. This sport really speaks to me on a personal level.”

Let me assure you, my intention is not to scare you out of parkour. In fact, it is just the opposite. It is to invite anyone into this exciting athletic event. There’s room for inclusion, and people in the parkour community are looking to take full advantage of that aspect.

 Dollar added about the community, “they are very accepting, very encouraging to new people in the sport, and very supportive. All around, there are so many great people in this community. If you are looking to make a scary flip, there is someone cheering you on.”

Now it is all about translating that attitude into this very high school. In Dollar’s opinion,

“I think it starts at home. I want people to look up this sport on YouTube and Instagram. The more curious they get, the more willing they are to try the sport. And if we get enough to grab attention, we can make it a reality.”