Hey guys, I know that a lot of people have some very strong feelings/opinions regarding the yearly National Jam. I’d love to get some discussion going around it. I want this to be positive and constructive and I’ll tell you why. I went to National Jam in Brisbane last year and I had fun, but I want more. I want to have fun, I want to learn, I want to be able to really spend time with people, I don’t want National Jam to be something that’s hidden in back alleys and plagued by security and police, I want what we’re doing to be legitimate, I want people to see what we’re doing and be amazed not just by what we can do physically but by how professionally our event is set up, I want people across Australia and the world to look at what’s done and say wow look at how awesome that event was, I want people to be inspired to push the envelope not just in the physical sense but also looking at Parkour as a whole.

This is part of my vision, my goal, my dream. It comes from a completely unselfish place of wanting to do as much as I can for Parkour, which has done so much for me and my community.

It’s ok if you don’t agree, if you want something different. I want to hear that too. What I really want to do is get together a wish list of everyones ultimate wish list for Nat Jam. If money, time, and resources weren’t an issue… what would you want Nat Jam to look like, how long would it be, who would be there, what would be happening, where would it be…

I personally would like to see National Jam in Townsville either this year or next (I know there’s going to be some groans because Townsville is so far North East and maybe even what does Townsville know about Parkour or Nat Jam). The reason I think this is a good idea is because I think we can achieve a Nat Jam in Townsville that wouldn’t be possible at this stage anywhere else.

I want:

A whole week of Nat Jam – 5 days at least

Everyone (or most people) staying in the one place as near to a training space as possible.

A dedicated training facility, purpose built, which would then be comlimented by existing spaces both urban and natural. This would in my vision be scaffolding, vaults, boulders, rails etc in a single dedicated location.

Time for socialising, training as a group, open exploration time, some time devoted by instructors to working with the local youth (inspiring them, giving them the skills to grow Parkour from a grass roots level) and instructor training with a variety of different people taking the lead for specific instructor skills (including Parkour skills, leadership skills, voice projection and confidence skills, development skills etc).

Opportunity to invite the community, maybe even some media in to see what’s happening, time to discuss what Parkour is, where it can be accessed in terms of groups etc and how they can get involved. This wouldn’t be for the whole event, just for a select part of it.

A package or packages which included everything including accomodation, basic meals, progams, promo stuff, any major travel expenses (going to the creek for the day or something). This would ensure that anyone who wanted to go would know well in advance what they were in for, everyone would essentially get the same amazing experience and not miss out on anything, people wouldn’t have to worry about getting accom close enough, bus schedules etc etc.

Dream location would be the university while they’re on break. There’s accomodation space, ability to cater, space to set up an event etc.

I’m sure I have heaps more, but that’s a good start. Get talking!!