The party is literally going to be off the wall at the brand new Flow Training Centre in Valleycliffe.
Squamish’s new home for parkour, ninja training and creative movement hosts its grand opening on Sunday (May 24), and instructor Carl Fortin said the soft launch to the new facility has been good.
“The kids have been playing here the last three weeks and the last pieces of equipment arrived earlier this week,” he said. “We’re excited to open.”
Fortin and fellow instructor Serena Ly brought their unique ninja training program to Squamish two years ago, and Fortin said the response has been great. They originally operated out of Squamish Martial Arts in Downtown Squamish, but the new facility gives them more room to teach the skills to local athletes.
The ninja training program incorporates movements from martial arts, break dancing and parkour, a training discipline using movement that evolved from military obstacle course training. Fortin said youth have enjoyed the program and adults are also beginning to join in.
The new facility has features such as a dyno wall with a slanted approach for parkour movements, more pads and mats on the floor and wall, a weight room and a wire with harness similar to what is used for movie stunts. Fortin said the facility will be great for parkour training.
“It’s all about the most efficient way of moving about in an environment,” he said of parkour. “It’s kind of like gymnastics but without structure. It’s more about adapting your moves to the environment. The whole point of the ninja program is to teach people how to move freely, and we mix in flair moves from martial arts and balancing techniques. It’s a very creative activity.”
Fortin has a background in taekwondo; he achieved a black belt at the age of seven and later was on the Canadian Forces national taekwondo team. He’s also done stunt work in more than 21 films, including Scott Pilgrm vs. The World and Pompeii.
The facility will have regular classes as well as open gym times.
For more information on the program, visit www.squamishninja.com.
