Spring Break
Student attempts to bring 'art of movement' to Whitewater
Chelsea Gray
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News
Link to Parkour video
Joey Kluz doesn't let obstacles stand in his way.
Kluz is a practioner of Parkour, the physical discipline of training to efficiently overcome obstacles by adapting movements to the environment.
Inspired by the 2006 James Bond movie "Casino Royale," which included an extended, hair-raising Parkour sequence, Kluz started practicing the discipline.
"It started out very nonsensical, but eventually turned into a want and need to excel," senior Kluz said. "It's a way of freeing yourself from the constraints of daily life. It's a way of expressing creativity while staying extremely healthy."
Kluz is trying to get students interested in Parkour so he has others to train with. He's also started a club at Milton High School with 25 students.
"I will be out practicing and students will stop to ask what I'm doing," Kluz said, "After explaining it to them, they say they would definitely be interested in being a part of a Parkour club."
Reactions vary. Some students are interested and others are nervous to try something so different. Some fear it is dangerous.
"The worst injury I've ever received would have to be a couple skinned knees," Kluz said. "Absolutely anyone can do it. The amount you put forth is equal to what you get out of it."
Parkour can be accomplished if the person is willing to put forth their best effort and not give up after failing a couple of times, he said.
Kluz, a senior, has been careful to clear his practice areas with university staff. He has decided to start training in the area between the Andersen Library and McGraw Hall.
"I'd actually really like to see a group of around 10 people," Kluz said, "Mostly I just want people to train with [people] that are willing to experience something different."
Kluz has toured the country, meeting others who enjoy the art of Parkour. He said people around the world are training every day to create a higher skill level.
"Why walk when you can fly?" Kluz said of Parkour.
Joey Kluz doesn't let obstacles stand in his way.
Kluz is a practioner of Parkour, the physical discipline of training to efficiently overcome obstacles by adapting movements to the environment.
Inspired by the 2006 James Bond movie "Casino Royale," which included an extended, hair-raising Parkour sequence, Kluz started practicing the discipline.
"It started out very nonsensical, but eventually turned into a want and need to excel," senior Kluz said. "It's a way of freeing yourself from the constraints of daily life. It's a way of expressing creativity while staying extremely healthy."
Kluz is trying to get students interested in Parkour so he has others to train with. He's also started a club at Milton High School with 25 students.
"I will be out practicing and students will stop to ask what I'm doing," Kluz said, "After explaining it to them, they say they would definitely be interested in being a part of a Parkour club."
Reactions vary. Some students are interested and others are nervous to try something so different. Some fear it is dangerous.
"The worst injury I've ever received would have to be a couple skinned knees," Kluz said. "Absolutely anyone can do it. The amount you put forth is equal to what you get out of it."
Parkour can be accomplished if the person is willing to put forth their best effort and not give up after failing a couple of times, he said.
Kluz, a senior, has been careful to clear his practice areas with university staff. He has decided to start training in the area between the Andersen Library and McGraw Hall.
"I'd actually really like to see a group of around 10 people," Kluz said, "Mostly I just want people to train with [people] that are willing to experience something different."
Kluz has toured the country, meeting others who enjoy the art of Parkour. He said people around the world are training every day to create a higher skill level.
"Why walk when you can fly?" Kluz said of Parkour.
Be the first to comment on this story