Travelling abroad can present unique challenges for parkour enthusiasts! To make your trip go that little bit smoother, here are some essential tips for taking your parkour passion abroad and staying safe while practising.
image by stokpic CC0
Pack like a parkour pro
Pack light. Pack smart.
This means only bringing the essentials and finding ways to make your gear more compact. You can also use packing cubes to organise your clothes and gear, making it easier to find what you need and keep your bag organised.
Use a Travel Backpack
A travel backpack is a great investment. These backpacks are designed to be lightweight, durable, and have plenty of compartments for organising your gear. Look for one with a separate compartment for shoes, as well as a water bottle holder and a laptop sleeve if you plan on working while travelling.
Bring a Portable Charger
Travelling often means spending long hours on planes, trains, and buses. To keep your devices charged and ready to go, bring a portable charger with you. This will also come in handy if you’re out exploring and need to use your phone for directions or to capture some epic parkour footage.
Pack your Parkour Shoes
The ones that are comfortable, durable, and have good traction, not your everyday trainers. Top tips on what to buy include: shoes with a flat sole and a good grip, such as the Onitsuka Tiger Ultimate 81 or the Feiyue Martial Arts Shoes.
Don’t Resist Packing your Resistance Bands
Sure, you might not think you’ll train on holiday, but resistance bands are a versatile and lightweight piece of equipment that take up minimal space in your luggage. Well worth it for the strength, mobility and stretching exercises you can do with them.
And a Tennis Ball
A small and simple accessory that can help with muscle recovery and prevent injuries.
Act like a parkour pro
Research the Area
Look to local parkour communities for advice on where parkour is welcomed and where is considered safe. You can also use Google Maps to scout out potential spots and plan your route.
Start Slow
And give your body a chance to warm up, after all travelling takes its own toll on energy levels! While you may be pumped to try something new, taking on tough challenges and risking injury isn’t something you want to do while on holiday. Not only can it scupper your enjoyment, but medical treatment can be costly unless you have the right travel insurance.
Avoid Private Property
Get permission before practising on someone else’s property, and always clean up after yourself.
Be Aware of Local Laws
Different countries have different laws and regulations, and it’s important to be aware of them when practising parkour abroad. For example, some countries may have strict laws against climbing on buildings or structures, so make sure to do your research beforehand.
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Be Respectful
In public spaces, it’s important to be respectful of others. Avoid practising in crowded areas or during peak hours, and always be mindful of your surroundings. If someone asks you to stop or move, be polite and comply with their request.
Connect with Others
Find local parkour communities for valuable insights and tips for practising in the area and have a more authentic travel experience. Also consider timing your visit at the same time as a parkour event where you can connect with the local community and other parkour enthusiasts from all over the world, a great opportunity to make new friends and learn from different perspectives.
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Ready to travel with confidence?
Get travel insurance from the experts! We offer specialist tailor-made travel insurance policies that will have you covered should your holiday not go to plan. It covers all the usual travel insurance woes like lost passports, missed flights, and stolen belongings, as well as injury, illness and repatriation, plus we offer a a 24/7 multilingual helpline.
Get in touch with us for a quote or call us on 01892 833338.
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