For grandson:

[vitalspark]

Having spent my time climbing (swinging through trees, jumping rocks along the wild, Orkney shoreline and climbing walls or anything else that presented itself), as a Tomboy. No barrier ever blocked my shortcut though I never displayed the elegance, in my clambering, which I see the Parkour experts exhibit. I enjoyed climbing trees well into my 50s 'til health problems slowed me down although I still give the odd irresistible tree a climb but not so high and only the easier ones

I am, now, a 60 year old Nanna who is looking for some information on Parkour training in Scotland for my grandson. He is just turned 5 years old and is as bendy and agile as they come. ;D My Darling and a Treasure.

He excelled at his tots gymnastics rapidly moving on to a more senior class than his years would normally merit. However, he has so many activities most of which just don't allow for the times of gymnastic classes.

I know he would love Parkour but more than that, I believe it would be exceptionally good for him: his physical, mental and emotional development.

My granddaughter (2 1/2 year old) would find this her element too as will, probably, my other grandson who is, as yet, only learning to pull himself onto his side and tummy (born 21st Feb this year).

Will some kind Parkour practitioner please advise me as to any training courses in and around Edinburgh?

If there are no such courses, to date, please advise me on the best way to get one established in our fair Capital city.

Thank you, in anticipation of your help.
Maggie

[ANTISFIT]

its really nice to know that parkour is seen to be a good activity, that you think it would be good to start with your grandson, where parkour has had alot of bad press recently

at 5, his knees will still be developing, and so are very prone to damage, and i wouldn't say that doing much training would be healthy.
though, just start off teaching the basics
how to vault a low wall (will have picked up in gymnastics)
how to roll (may have picked up in gymnastics)

and try to get him to condition his body and get stronger

sorry i can't help particularly with the location, will try and find some guys from the area, i think i know a couple
hope i've helped you :]

[vitalspark]

Thank you, Antony. I do appreciate your response.

Naturally, I understand that there are some aspects of parkour (I should say, what I know of it,) which are far too advanced for my grandson. For one thing, apart from developing his strength, his sense of balance needs to be honed also his judgement of height and distance as well as the art of falling require training. Then there's the "knowing oneself and one's strengths" aspect to be learned.

I appreciate your caution when "evangeling" your sport. It shows restraint and discipline. Those are traits/skills equally necessary to as safe as possible participation in the sport.

At the age of 3yrs I was climbing out of my bedroom window climbing onto the flat roof of the outhouses before climbng on up the roof of the school (father headmaster/house and school adjoined), and sitting on the peak. Trees are absent in Orkney as it is too windy but there were plenty other things to climb and, at that age, the stunted "trees" of the hedgerow were fairly high to me.

My poor mother. We loved to get her panicking for our amusement but, on returning as an adult with my own children, many years later, to see the slippery rocks we bounded around with the deep and perilous seas around them, I fully appreciate her terror. This is why I want proper guidance for my grandson. He should enjoy and benefit from what is YES, a marvelous sport in controlled (to a safe extent) circumstances but with a good training from those who know the proper rate and schedule of developement/progress.

Thank you once again, Antony. I would very much appreciate your help in contacting the "right" guys to help with this more practically.

All the best,
Maggie