If you’ve ever watched District 13 then you have probably heard and even seen parkour in action. Pioneered by Frenchman David Belle, the physical discipline has gained surging popularity ever since its inception in the late 1980’s. Did you know that you could perform those insane parkour tricks here in Dubai as well? We sit down with local traceur Mohamed Hesham Kamel as he talks about how to make the city your playground.

How did you first get into parkour?
I got into parkour with my friends in Egypt nine years ago when they represented the sport in France – the origin of the sport.
Are there any other sports that you are involved with?
I’m actually heavily focused in parkour but recently my training has also involved calisthenics, flow and tricking.
What should our readers know about parkour?

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Parkour is a freestyle sport. It’s not risky or dangerous as most people think, it’s mainly about pushing your limits to achieve skills or techniques to overcome obstacles. We are a community that is motivated by creativity and our passion for parkour. Parkour challenges one’s creativity in staying on the move.

Parkour is a freestyle sport. It’s not risky or dangerous as most people think, it’s mainly about pushing your limits to achieve skills or techniques to overcome obstacles.

Are there any specific skills that need to be learned before doing parkour?
There are no skills that I would consider learning prior to going for parkour but building strength and understanding the basic tenets of parkour is necessary for progression.
What would you say are the challenges that parkour face in the UAE?
As with majority of outdoor activities the summer heat is one big impediment. Another challenge would be gaining permissions since parkour is mostly held in the city.

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What training regimens do you do to prepare?
I prefer flow warm-up which is something I also teach – it’s a bit lengthy to explain, but to know more about it you can visit my Instagram page at @heshamiv to have an idea about it.
What do you love most about your sport?
The freedom of movement that parkour allows! I could go anywhere I want, whenever I want and it all boils down to my decisions on how to reach my destination. Other than that, parkour also hones my creativity especially when I’m tackling challenging paths.

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Where could our readers know more about it parkour?
You can definitely check out our group called AgainstGraviTi. We have training sessions going on and we have obstacles designed for beginners and experts who would want to learn or develop their parkour skills. You can check out our group at www.againstgraviti.com
Lastly, do you think the city of Dubai is a perfect playground for parkour?
It is! The public playgrounds and parks are perfect to kickstart your parkouring if you are a beginner and it is the best spot to hone some advanced skills to some extent. The winter is best time for outdoor training since this the time when the entire city becomes an absolute playground.


Age: 26

Nationality: Egyptian

Occupation: AgainstGraviTi Cofounder