PARKOUR!
On September 16th, I spent time with Parkour champion Isaac “Jungle Jim” Kessler. His mission — to take me around and show me all the hip places where the city’s parkour champions do their best work.
He picked me up in his souped-up beige car, which he drives like a maniac, and seemed unsure where he was going. But when you’re parkour’s best, why bother obeying rules of the road or bowing to the weather …. and just park your car in the middle of the street. He’s a badass, that’s why they call him “Jungle Jim”.
After nine hours we finally arrived at our first destination, Cherry Beach, home of the Pirate Ship playground. BlogTO has rated this as one of the top playgrounds in Toronto and after seeing Jungle Jim throw down some of his moves, I have no doubt that BlogTO is right. He’s one of the most flexible men I’ve ever met. The way he climbed up to the top of the Pirate Ship and then slid down that slide…boy, I wish I was that athletic. Note: It’s very important to constantly repeat the word “Parkour” as you’re doing Parkour.
As we drove to our next destination he stopped in the middle of the road. He left the car and walked straight into a field and squatted in some bushes. I guess it was his way of saying he is one with nature. He is part of this world and it is the earth that makes him so good at Parkour. Then, as I followed him into the dangerous leaves and uncharted territory he stopped by the lake, and like a scene from a movie, ducks surrounded him and as if he were a gift from God. Then we got the fuck out of there!
After another nine-hour drive we reached Corktown Common Playground, newer Parkour turf. Jungle, seemed to be indifferent to this place but they have one great slide. He showed me his swinging and jumping-off-swing skills — as well as his mushroom licking skills.
Unfortunately, our day had to come to an end as he was needed elsewhere to teach a class in something other than Parkour. At first he drove me to a shady area where a crazy drunk almost fell on to the hood of his souped-up beige car. We decided this wasn’t the best place to get dropped off as I would be the only one wearing shoes. He dropped me off near Sherbourne and Bloor and drove off into the sunset; the sun, however, was blocked by buildings and giant structures. And just like that, our day was over. I immediately found a McDonalds and used their washroom, all the while knowing I’ve learned from the best and could be the next Parkour champion.
Thank you, Jungle Jim!
http://www.blogto.com/toronto/the_best_playgrounds_in_toronto/