Who We Are?
PARKOUR, FREESTYLE TRAMPOLINE, GYMNASTICS & FLYING TRAPEZE
Our MissioN
“Our Mission at Drakes Academy is to provide opportunities for Extreme sports training in Cape Town with high quality athlete training in a safe learning, progressive and
encouraging challenge-seeking environment with life-changing opportunities”
PARKOUR
Parkour is an urban art/discipline which involves traceurs overcoming obstacles (both physical and mental) and obstacles typically found in an urban or rural environment. The aim is to get from one point to another with as much efficiency as possible, and sometimes as fast as possible, using an array of skills such as running, jumping, vaulting, leaps, catches, precision jumps etc. “PARKOUR IS FREELY USING YOUR ENVIRONMENT IN A CREATIVE WAY TO CLIMB, JUMP, RUN WITH THE MOST EFFICIENCY POSSIBLE.”
At Drakes Academy we have a 8-level program developed and proven to take Traceurs from beginner to expert level. Providing high-quality training, developing a strong foundation with fundamentals and work on a progressive program to prepare Athletes to become experts and specialists in their Parkour career.
We have a colour coded level program, where Traceurs get a colour wrist band reflecting their current level.
PHASE ONE
Phase one, we focus on basics and fundamentals and safety that we master, and cover about 60 fundamental skills.
PHASE TWO
Phase two, we build on the fundamentals, and start to learn more intermediate skills, adding a further 40 skills to their bag of tricks! This phase we also start to prepare the athlete for more acrobatic skills and basic flips.
PHASE THREE
Phase three, we start to form the unique athlete, with more advanced skills and higher level of difficulty.
EXPERT PHASE
The Expert Phase, is when the athlete has completed the set program, and begins to work on their desired path. This is when we work on specific personal goals, and continue to grow skill and ability.
All new Traceurs will start at Level 1 and receive a white band on registration, this is when their parkour journey begins.
Athletes will learn over 140 skills during their training journey before they can move onto the expert training level. Keep in mind that progress takes time, and that all Traceurs must do their best, as long as they keep trying their best and put in the work, the results will come. Progress rates differ from person to person, on average Traceurs will spend about 3-12 months per level. For some this may be shortened based on the ability and age of the Traceur.
Once they have completed all the skills from Level 1-7, they will graduate to Expert level and receive a Black Band, and their more personalized training begins.
Joining our program requires some commitment if you want results, and you will need to spend 3-5 years minimum if you want to become an expert and make a career out of Parkour.
MEN'S ARTISTIC GYMNASTICS
We do our best to provide quality training in Men’s Artistic Gymnastics (Boys Gymnastics). It is a discipline of gymnastics in which athletes perform short routines on different types of apparatus like: Floor, Pommel, Rings, Vault, Parallel Bars and Horizontal Bar.
We have 3 Teams: Beginners Team, Development Team, Competitive Team. We hold high standards in this sport, so entry into our Development/Competitive Teams are by Invitation only after a successful trial & testing.
FLYING TRAPEZE
In a traditional flying trapeze act, flyers mount a narrow board and take off on the fly bar. The flyer must wait for a call from the catcher to make sure he or she leaves at the correct time. Otherwise, the catcher will not be close enough to the flyer to make a successful catch. The flier then performs one of many aerial tricks and is caught by the catcher. Once in the catcher’s hands, the flyer continues to swing and is thrust back toward the fly bar in a maneuver called a “return”. Once back to the fly bar, the flyer can return to the board, and another flyer takes a turn.
FREESTYLE TRAMPOLINE
SAFETY
Progressive Skill Development:
Safety Techniques:
Safety is paramount in parkour. Traceurs are taught essential safety techniques, such as proper landing techniques, rolling, and falling, which help mitigate the impact of jumps and movements. Parkour athletes train extensively to develop body awareness and spatial understanding, enabling them to navigate their environment safely.
Risk Assessment and Environment Adaptation:
One of the core principles of parkour is the ability to assess risks and adapt to the environment. Traceurs learn to evaluate obstacles, understand their physical capabilities, and make informed decisions accordingly. This approach allows them to choose movements that are appropriate for their skill level and avoid unnecessary risks.
Focus on Conditioning and Injury Prevention:
Parkour training places great emphasis on physical conditioning and injury prevention. Athletes engage in strength training, flexibility exercises, and cardiovascular workouts to build a strong foundation for their movements. By developing a well-rounded fitness level, practitioners reduce the risk of injuries and increase their overall resilience.
