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How to Do Parkour in Qatar's Urban Jungle?

Published August 17th, 2020 - 07:20 GMT

As the sun sets over the Qatari capital's mishmash of skyscrapers, the parkour enthusiasts hurl themselves off walls and walkways, surrounded by palm trees as they listen to hip-hop. 

The word parkour derives from parcours du combattant (obstacle course), the classic obstacle course method of military training proposed by Georges Hébert. 

Parkour, an extreme sport also known as free-running that originated in France in the 1990s, involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling.

Parkour has thousands of loyal followers and practitioners around the world, but it remains rare in Qatar.

Conservative attitudes towards exercising in public in the Gulf country mean practising the sport can be tricky.

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Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour (Instagram)

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour (Instagram)

Hamzar Mekkaoui (R) , Achref Bejaoui (L) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with

Hamzar Mekkaoui (R) , Achref Bejaoui (L) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Hamzar Mekkaoui (L) , Achref Bejaoui (C) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with

Hamzar Mekkaoui (L) , Achref Bejaoui (C) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Young boy performs parkour (pixabay)

Young boy performs parkour (pixabay)

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour (Instagram)
Hamzar Mekkaoui (R) , Achref Bejaoui (L) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with
Hamzar Mekkaoui (L) , Achref Bejaoui (C) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with
Young boy performs parkour (pixabay)
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Achref Bejaoui, 25, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour (Instagram)
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour (Instagram)
Hamzar Mekkaoui (R) , Achref Bejaoui (L) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with
Hamzar Mekkaoui (R) , Achref Bejaoui (L) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui (L) , Achref Bejaoui (C) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with
Hamzar Mekkaoui (L) , Achref Bejaoui (C) and a friend perform parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Young boy performs parkour (pixabay)
Young boy performs parkour (pixabay)
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP
Hamzar Mekkaoui, 26, performs parkour, a sport that originated in France in the 1990s, which involves getting around urban obstacles with a fast-paced mix of jumping, vaulting, running and rolling, in the Qatari capital Doha, on August 11, 2020. Parkour, also known as free-running, has now found a small but committed following in Qatar despite evening temperatures that hover around 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in summer and over-zealous security guards unfamiliar with the sport. KARIM JAAFAR / AFP

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