Tyler Harder and Kyle Kepler want more parkour in Saskatoon

'A lot of people don't realize this is going on'

Image | Tyler Harder

Caption: Tyler Harder does a back-flip at River Landing. (Josh Lynn)

Saskatoon's Tyler Harder has a simple way of explaining parkour to people curious about the sport: "Your textbook definition is moving from point A to point B using the human body," he said during an interview on CBC's Saskatoon Morning.
Harder is a founding member of Empire Parkour, a club devoted to the sport. He could be accused of underselling a sport that sees its practitioners running, leaping, and flipping their way over obstacles.
Experienced parkour athletes can appear almost super-human, but Harder says anyone can learn the sport.
"We start with the most basic moves, but also the most important foundation ones," Harder explained. "Like a shoulder roll ... something that prevents you from hurting yourself when you land on concrete or something or jump from higher heights."
Kyle Kepler — also an Empire Parkour memeber — picked up the sport two years ago.
"To be honest, I was a little intimidated when I saw these guys throw down some tricks," he said. "(But) there's no need to ever feel intimidated. They're always open to showing you how to do something new."
Kepler calls the more experienced members of the club 'coaches at heart' and said he's found the group to be very supportive as he's learned the sport.
"They really push you and really teach you, but in a very safe environment," said Kepler.