WILL Tuck and Brandon Parker were teenagers when they first discovered a new sport that they would enjoy well into adulthood.
After wanting to take gymnastics out of the classroom and onto the streets, the pair took to YouTube to discover a way to get from point A to B in the most efficient, creative way possible.
They discovered parkour, and now run one of the biggest parkour and free running academies in the South West.
"When we first started, no one really knew what parkour was so we had to use just a standard park to do things," Parker said.
"When people saw us they'd either get upset, or would think it was really cool.
"Now we perform in front of people and show them what it's all about. It's really rewarding."
Once they discovered what parkour was, both Tuck and Parker began attending parkour gatherings in Perth and performing at children's birthday parties in Bunbury, before opening X5 Academy in 2015.
Parkour has helped teach kids strength and conditioning as well as coordination and balance. It's really rewarding.
- X5 Academy co-founder Will Tuck
In 2021, X5 moved into Gravity ETC in Dalyellup, where 350 students aged three and over can learn how to channel their strengths to climb and jump across obstacles.
Tuck said being part of Gravity ETC, as well as helping with the design of the new parkour hub at the Bunbury Youth Precinct, had helped put parkour on the map.
"Parkour has helped teach kids strength and conditioning as well as coordination and balance.
"Now a lot of parents say that if their kid trips when running, they instinctively go into a roll.
"The parkour space at the Youth Precinct also will be a really cool space located right in the centre of Bunbury."
In addition to offering an alternative sport to the community, Parker said parkour had helped him gain confidence in his day-to-day life.
"I used to be really quiet and antisocial, but parkour really helped me come out of my shell," he said.
"I still am a little bit shy but I like to get out there a bit more and jump around.
"We're both really looking forward to where parkour goes next."
X5 Academy has been nominated for the Surge Fitness Sports Award in the 2022 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for the second year running.
Winners will be announced in late 2022.
Interested in learning more about parkour?
Visit Dalyellup X5 Academy on YouTube or visit them on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/X5Academy.
Pip Waller
After working in film and television production in Perth, I returned to my hometown of Bunbury to further my skill set as a journalist. I am passionate about the empowerment of women and giving a voice to the unheard members of our community. You can contact me at pip.waller@austcommunitymedia.com.au
After working in film and television production in Perth, I returned to my hometown of Bunbury to further my skill set as a journalist. I am passionate about the empowerment of women and giving a voice to the unheard members of our community. You can contact me at pip.waller@austcommunitymedia.com.au
