The Bermuda Gymnastics Association will be kicking off the new year by offering members the opportunity to test their skills in the sport of parkour.

Derived from a military training exercise, parkour — or free running — challenges participants to move from one point to another by jumping, climbing, rolling, vaulting, swinging or any other manner to avoid obstacles in the fastest possible way.

The club will begin lessons early next month with the ultimate ambition of hosting competitions on island as well as having local participants travel to compete overseas.

“I am thrilled about this new programme,” said Brian Le Roux, the BGA head coach, who will be overseeing the lessons alongside a qualified parkour coach. “We are fortunate to have a talented parkour coach on staff who will be teaching these classes. This will be the only organisation running parkour classes on island.

“I know this activity will be a great continuation of promoting healthy lifestyles at BGA. Parkour is not just for the training of the body; it requires the focus of the mind as well to overcome any issue. This is truly an awesome art of movement.

“It also teaches principles like sacrifice, humility, hard work and honesty. It also brings an awareness to be mindful of one’s limitations

“In a nutshell, parkour is a complete training discipline.”

For Le Roux, being able to teach the sport, which has been officially recognised by the International Olympic Committee, also offers him a sense of nostalgia.

He added: “This reminds me of my high school years when we did not know of parkour but we had obstacles set up around the school with the typical parkour obstacles — even crawling through a tunnel,” he added.

“We had to climbed up ropes into a building roof and traverse down on the other side with ropes.

“It was tough but achievable if you were focused and had to will to finish the course in the best time possible; ultimately, it was a lot of fun.”

As with all of BGA classes, strict Covid-19 regulations will be adhered to, with Le Roux eager for the club to play its part in the ongoing battle against the pandemic.

“Strict Covid-19 regulations are being enforced as a top priority which has been set by the health department,” he added. “We at BGA go above and beyond to keep our facility clean, keep athletes distanced and ensure they sanitise their hands regularly.

“While they are not engaging with movement in between breaks, we make sure all athletes wear their masks.”

• For further information on parkour classes at the Bermuda Gymnastics Association e-mail coaches@bermudagymnastics.bm