Take Flight

As we announced last week, after years of waiting for a public presence, David Belle has taken it now to a definitive level with the launch of his official website. Here is the picture he posted on his Facebook page announcing the launch.

The site is simple, efficient, and effective and reflects Parkour it its utility and design. We’re very happy for David and this step for him, and we wish him the best in his endeavors, his career, and the spread of Parkour around the world that will surly result from this.

The site is now up and running so check it out, see for yourself, and share the news with friends so people know. There might even be a few surprises there waiting. We aren’t going to say anything, but keep your eyes peeled.

The news is out: David Belle’s official site is launching on Monday! He announced it today on his official Facebook page.

We don’t have much else to say. This is just a simple blog to help spread the news. You can check out all of David’s official sites below:

www.DavidBelle.com

www.DavidBelle.net

www.Twitter.com/davbelle

www.YouTube.com/davbelle

The long wait for David Belle’s arrival on Facebook is finally over. As of just a few days ago David has established an official Facebook page which you can find here.

David’s first post on his page was the following:

Hello everyone ! I do not know all of you, nor your centers of interest… But in this virtual world, you are all my friends ! And I wanted to tell you that I love you all !! I have much respect for your different passions and work for Parkour. So continue to make me dream !! THANK YOU. D

We are super excited to see David establish a public presence. Help spread the Parkour word by “Liking” the page and spreading the word to friends!

Other links:

http://www.DavidBelle.com
http://www.DavidBelle.net
David Belle posts from Take Flight

We are so excited to see the newest Parkour video of David Belle finally make its way onto the international scene. This amazing short film (which is actually an advertisement) features David Belle performing Parkour and talking about the discipline he created. Watch, learn and be inspired by the founder himself and his words of wisdom, focus, and precision.

During David Belle’s birthday weekend Take Flight had a Tee Shirt giveaway. We asked our fans to write an acrostic poem with David Belle’s name; meaning each line starts with a letter from his name. Well, you fans did not disappoint! There were some entries that were just too good to let them get lost on the Take Flight Facebook wall. So we compiled a few of our favorites for our faithful blog readers.

Dream for the skies, and
Aim for the eyes.
Vast is the mind,
Is David’s stride, which
Darest thee to fly. It says,

“But be but thine own,
Err but keep going.
Leap for the stars
Learn from thy falls, and
Ever move forward.”
– By – Gavyn Westmoreland

David belle.
A traceur
Very deeply fell
In love with a place here
Decides to tell

By action not words
Every place on the planet
Lays not multiple countries
Lays one single playground
Every place united with a motion
– By – Paul Tong

Danger?
Act.
Violence?
Invision Peace.
Duty?

Balance.
Envy?
Love.
Laziness?
Energy.
– By – Liam KenWood

David’s spreading of Parkour
Allows us to
View our surroundings
In a better light,
Daring to fly.

Bearing us on its wings,
Enticing us with movement,
Leaping, grabbing, vaulting
Lending us strength to live free
Extending to us life, Parkour.
– By – Sai Chikine

Dare to move above and beyond
Always aware of life the right and the wrong.
Valiancy seen through movement of efficiency
Instilling in the world an amazing new philosophy.
Daily training to be strong

But confronted with obstacles only you can overcome.
Exceptional beauty in such a fine art to
Leave no trace where ever you are.
Live life to its fullest with the body you’re blessed with for
Expression of movement is what he’s found love in and shared it with us so that we could enjoy it.
– By – Jenin Gonzalez

Defying Gravity
Around the town
Venturing the urban landscape
In total control of mind and body
Dance like motions, observers watch

Baffled by the display and range of motion
Energetically he performs
Leaping gaps
Lacking fear
Engaging life
– By – Niko Pal

Dynamic and daring movements
As the legend himself
Vaults over any obstacle
In his path
Diving into a lazy superman but

Boasting really isn’t his style. the
Environment around him is his canvas
Laying out and planning his masterpiece run, a
Lache followed by flips and twists, the possibilities so
Endless as the boundaries are pushed and broken by a mere man.
– By – Cj Guerrero

David Belle is one of the greatest inspirations of our time. In addition to his movement, these quotes are just a few of the inspirations he has shared.

“A lot of people in their mind think ‘If there is a problem this is what I would do, this is how I would do it.’ But the truth is they don’t really know. Parkour teaches you to be sure of what you are able to do.” -David Belle

“Many people open their mind through different things like music and painting, as well as Parkour. How is not important. What is important is to open your mind because you gain some freedom through it.” -David Belle

“There is no stronger or weaker…. You’re strong in the moment when you go right to the end for the cause you are defending.” -David Belle

“When you’re training Parkour with passion, if you’re good, people will notice you. Don’t go around saying, ‘Hey look at this new move I got.’ No. We used to say, ‘If it’s good we’ll tell you.’ Do it for yourself first.” -David Belle

”Because some people may say ‘Woah they are crazy,’ but we are way more thoughtful than someone who might fall down the stairs because they didn’t pay attention.” -David Belle

“…you don’t need any [money] to do [Parkour], just a pair of good shoes and that’s all.” -David Belle

Joyeux Anniversaire David !

From all of us at Take Flight we are going to take this day (and weekend actually) to honor David as the founder of Parkour and inspiration for us and the discipline worldwide. Without him, none of us would be where we are today working down the path we are on. Our sincerest gratitude, respect, and admiration go out to David, and our warmest wishes for a happy birthday celebration.

Back in 2008 Take Flight posted an interview with David Belle that included a portion about how he and Sébastien Foucan had grown apart over the years. Well just a few months ago David Belle was interviewed by Sébastien Foucan and we knew all the fans would be interested.

It is incredible to see the founder of Parkour joined with another original member of the Yamakasi across from “Le Dame du Lac”, one of the most iconic structures in all of Parkour. In the interview David discusses what Parkour was for him in the past, and what it has become today. Truly a “must see” interview for any and all Traceurs. Whether you have been training and following the growth of Parkour since its beginning or just starting out, the words shared in this interview will educate and inspire you.

The 2 part interview has been translated into multiple languages, so if you prefer different subtitles or would like to see the original videos you can find them at:  http://www.youtube.com/user/FreerunningTVDotCom

David and Sébastien cover topics ranging from the original inspiration of Parkour from David Belle’s father to social media today and how that, and the rapid growth in popularity, have changed the way Parkour is viewed and practiced by many people. Below we have both parts of this interview, so sit back and enjoy learning the history and truth of Parkour from David Belle himself.

-We are on the verge of announcing our newest editions to the Take Flight team of sponsored Traceurs (the Take Flight Street Team). The decisions that have been made were difficult, and as such Adam wanted to personally address the entire Parkour community regarding them.-

At Take Flight we have always been focused on spreading Parkour by David Belle and on making everyone new and old to the discipline feel welcomed and encouraged to train and pursue their dreams within Parkour and beyond. Building the Take Flight Street Team is one of the methods we have implemented to further this pursuit via supporting a select group of international Traceurs who both represent Parkour and David’s vision for the discipline through their training, outlook and personal endeavors. Unfortunately the downside to selecting a team is having passionate and skilled Traceurs apply for the team who are not selected. This is the part that burdens me, which is why I have decided to publicly address it.

This year we had hundreds of applicants to the Take Flight Street Team and we will only be extending a handful of invitations. Each new TF team member that receives an invite was selected for unique reasons, and each has his own personality, skill set, and personal story that we feel represents Parkour and Take Flight in a very special way. For this reason, we do not have a specific “Why not?” for every Traceur that was not given an invitation. However, I can confidentially say that the Traceurs who were not invited were all extremely heartfelt, skillful, hardworking, and inspiring, and I could not be prouder of how far Parkour has come in the last few years to see such a strong contingent of passionate Traceurs around the globe.

No one talks about Parkour quite like David, and I’d like to emphasize one of my favorite quotes from him. It not only speaks volumes about who he is, but it also speaks volumes about Parkour. David says:

There is no stronger or weaker. You are strong in the moment that you go right to the end for the cause you are defending.

Parkour isn’t about winning. It’s not about being better than someone else. It’s not about one-uping others, or being cool, or being recognized. Parkour is, as it has always been for me and David, a personal pursuit that is focused and routed in self-improvement. The Take Flight Street Team epitomizes those that have found this path for themselves by allowing them to join directly with us in spreading the discipline around the world. But all of us in the community are a part of this larger goal, and we become stronger when we are all together.

The true purpose of the Take Flight Street Team is to bring the worldwide Parkour community together and point us in a common direction – that being to spread Parkour worldwide. Regardless of who is given an invitation to the team I hope that we can realize this vision and work towards it as a community of Traceurs striving for something bigger. The Take Flight Street Team is just a small part of the Parkour world and what we do at Take Flight. So if we can think beyond this, and strive for or bigger common goal then we will really have something. And you don’t have to be a Take Flight sponsored athlete to do that.

I look forward to the journey we all have in front of us in the Parkour community and beyond. Thank you again to everyone that applied to the team, and I look forward to working with you all to continue to expand and grow Parkour around the world.

Sincerely,

Adam Dunlap
Take Flight Founder & CEO

The PK Splat Tee has its newest and most daring sibling. Purple. Here is a cool back story for all our faithful blog readers:

The PK Splat Tee – Purple was first produced in the summer of 2010 when the PK Splat Tee was initially released for the 2010 International PK Clothing Launch. The three inaugural colors were White, Green, and Navy. The Purple version was produced as a prototype color version specifically for and by the request of Take Flight founder Adam Dunlap for his personal collection. For 6 months he was the only one who owned the tee, and he wore it all the time. But in spite of countless employee requests for one he refused to approve the production of more. However, after this past season’s Christmas rush, the Parkour community was screaming to have the PK Splat Tee restocked, and given the timing some of our employees submitted a formal petition to Adam to put the white on purple version of the tee into production. After a few weeks of consideration Adam gave in and there you have it.

Until today the PK Splat Tee – Purple was the most exclusive Parkour shirt on the planet owned by only one man. Now thanks to the community and their desire for new tees and Adam’s willingness to give up his ownership of the only one, the PK Splat Tee – Purple now exist for the entire worldwide Parkour community to own.

Thank you Adam for the tee, and thank you David for Parkour!