The Real Federación Española de Gimnasia is positioning the growth of competitive parkour around its street-level roots as the discipline prepares for a major national showcase. According to statements released ahead of the upcoming competition, federation leadership aims to expand the sport’s reach without stripping away the urban culture that defined its origins.
The Campeonato de España de Parkour is scheduled to run from September 18 to September 20 at O Parrote in A Coruña, serving as an event within the GRAVITEO A Coruña Xacobeo festival. Jesús Carballo, president of the Real Federación Española de Gimnasia and a two-time world champion as a gymnast, detailed the federation’s approach to balancing structured competition with the sport’s independent background.
Balancing Federation Structure with Urban Identity
Since integrating into the federated sport, parkour has adopted organization, regulation, and official competitions. Carballo noted that while federation oversight provides a structure that allows for sports growth, the core challenge remains protecting what makes the discipline unique. According to the RFEG president, the sport relies on freedom of movement, creativity, adaptability, and a direct connection to the urban environment.
Rather than confining competitions solely to conventional sports facilities, the federation is utilizing outdoor public spaces. Hosting the national championship at O Parrote places competitors in a location representative of A Coruña, creating a visual presentation that differs from a closed facility. Organizers point out that this open format makes the competition closer, more visual, and more attractive to spectators, including people who would not have traveled specifically to attend a parkour event.
Event Format and Youth Appeal
The competition structure at O Parrote features two modalities: Speed and Freestyle. Federation officials view these as ways to connect with youth who seek «libertad, diversión, comunidad y posibilidades de expresarse».
By embedding the national championship inside an open festival like GRAVITEO, organizers expect to reach new fans and followers, allowing people to approach out of curiosity and discover competitive parkour for the first time.
Next Steps for National Competition
Competition at O Parrote runs through September 20.
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