Plymouth Parkour Talent Chasing History And a Bigger Dream for the City
To many people, it can look impossible. A leap between walls. A precision landing on a narrow ledge. A controlled vault over obstacles that most people would simply walk around.
To those outside the sport, parkour often looks risky. But to those who dedicate thousands of hours to training, every movement is carefully practised, refined and repeated.
Among those leading the next generation is Plymouth athlete George Prior, who has earned a growing reputation within the parkour community through years of dedication and disciplined training.
This summer, George will compete at the first ever British Parkour Championships, organised by Parkour UK. The event marks a significant moment for the sport in Britain and provides a pathway towards future international competition, with the British Championships acting as a key selection event for the wider parkour world stage.
It’s another step in a journey that has been years in the making.
Helping guide that journey has been his mentor, known simply as Majic, who has watched George develop from a promising young athlete into one capable of competing on the national stage. Together, they see the championships not simply as a competition, but as evidence of how far the sport has come.
They also believe it highlights what Plymouth is still missing.
Unlike sports such as skateboarding, BMX and climbing, parkour has very few dedicated facilities in the South West. As a result, athletes often train in public spaces, making use of walls, benches, railings and steps because that’s simply what’s available.
To passers-by, that can sometimes appear dangerous.
But experienced practitioners explain that they aren’t randomly jumping from building to building. Progression is built through years of conditioning, strength work, balance training and learning how to move safely before attempting more advanced skills.
Even so, they acknowledge that purpose built facilities would make a huge difference.
There are clear parallels with skateboarding during the 1970s and 1980s. Back then, skateboarders were often moved on from public spaces because there were few places designed for them. As dedicated skate parks began to appear, they provided safer environments where people could learn, practise and compete while helping the sport flourish.
George and Majic believe parkour has reached a similar moment.
For several years, they have shared an ambition of seeing Plymouth develop a modern, world class indoor parkour facility — something that would be unique across Devon and Cornwall.
Such a venue could provide structured coaching, safer training conditions, opportunities for young people to become active, and a base capable of hosting competitions that would bring visitors into the city.
The upcoming British Championships are another reminder that Plymouth already has talented athletes capable of competing at the highest level. What the city doesn’t yet have is a facility that matches their ambitions.
George hopes his appearance at the championships will inspire more young people to discover the sport.
Majic believes the growing standard of British parkour shows that investment in dedicated facilities is becoming increasingly important if athletes are to fulfil their potential without relying almost entirely on public spaces.
The championships take place in Preston, with the main competition on 1–2 August and a possible qualifier on 31 July, where George will compete against many of Britain’s best athletes.
The pair are also seeking sponsorship from local businesses to help support their journey. Any backing, whether financial or practical, would not only help them reach the competition but also contribute towards a much bigger vision: giving Plymouth a dedicated home for a sport that continues to grow in popularity.
Watching George in action, it’s easy to focus on the height of the jumps or the precision of the landings.
Perhaps the bigger story is where those skills could lead not just for one athlete, but for an entire generation of young people who deserve a safe place to train, develop and represent Plymouth at the highest level.
Would you like to see Plymouth create a dedicated indoor parkour centre?
Photographs and Video © Wayne Perry / Plymouth Post