| Escape Reality – ‘Off the Wall’ |
‘Escape Reality’, have been making waves with their high energy, crowd-pleasing routines, mixing styles of free running and parkour to form unique stage performances across the UK.
At the 2010 Fitness Britain National Championships, the teenage free running
group performed for the first time on a big stage. The group of lads were spotted in the seaside town of Felixstowe using the promenade, stair case, and even the tops of building to do tricks and stunts. They call it Parkour, or more commonly referred to as Free Running in Britain. We asked them, “can you do that on a flat stage?”
We watched them on that September evening as their physical bodies were used to replace the staircases, roof tops, and other obstacles that they had at their disposal in an urban setting. Using the physical body is surely free running in its purest form. It is by all definitions an Escape from Reality!
Growing up as fanatics of the trampoline, brothers Aaron and Curtis started the group just over a year ago and had a chance encounter with Grant and Jordan while both were practicing on the Felixstowe seaside. Later recruits Wayne and Aiden were inspired by just being friends with the rest of the guys and seeing what they do. After months of dedication, they were accepted as part of the crew to make up the current 6 man team. With the oldest member of the group only 16 years old, ‘Escape Reality’ are dedicated sportsmen and they all feel an unconventional love for free-running. Like almost every Musclemania bodybuilder and Fitness Britain girl, they describe it as, “A way of life, almost like a religion”.
Grant and Jordan admit that before they considered free-running, they were basically lazy teenagers and that their passion for the sport has stopped them from falling into the trap of being overweight, lacking confidence, and generally being bored without a direction in life. The sport has helped boost their confidence and studies in school with a reason to wake up in the morning - and the tenacity to deal with whatever life throws at them.
"Before I started free-running I didn't do a lot - I was just one more kid on the street. When I found free-running I knew that was what I wanted to do. It wasn't easy or quick but I kept at it and I found my boys. I love my lads and free-running is my life." – Grant
As free-running and parkour are extreme sports, barriers are constantly pushed to the limit with Escape Reality. Jordan remarks on his fear of heights - "These are the things that scare me most but it is a fear I must and will overcome." The entire philosophy of the group is to work hard and remain dedicated to pulling off jaw-dropping performances. For 6 young lads who all aspire to heroes like Tarzan and Spiderman, the future is looking very exciting for the crew.
With the group’s performance being the inspiration for the new Escape Britain contest as part of the Fitness Britain 2011 Tour, we are pleased to have them launch this event at Fitness England, Wales, and Scotland this year to welcome some of the UKs best urban talent into the spotlight.
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