Blog Archives

May 29 2014

BASE jumping off the tallest building in the world

Base jumping is an intense and adrenalin filled sport and the World Champion Soul Flyers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen take this craft to a new level leaping from the world’s tallest building in Dubai. The pair gear up and are sponsored by Skydive Dubai to accomplish the goal of free falling from the pinnacle of Burj Khalifa setting a new world record. There are several excellent and up close shots from both a third base jumper and a helicopter that helps give you the full experience of leaping off the building and having the ground rushing up to meet you. With bright yellow jump suits and a red smoke, the video provides a very thrilling and eye-catching sight of the record setting moment. The Dubai Film Production brought the video to life and the music is licensed by The Rights Workshop.

This video, uploaded just one month ago by Skydive Dubai, already has almost 6.8 million views and over 22,000 likes. It is available to view in youtube’s new 2160p 4k high definition. In the video you see Soul Flyers World Champions Vince effete and Fred Fugen break the world record for BASE jumping by jumping off of the Burj Khalifa in Dubai, the world’s tallest building at 828 meters (2,2716 ft, 6 inches). BASE jumping has been pursued by action sports enthusiasts since the late 70s. BASE is an acronym for four commonly jumped from objects: building, antenna, span and Earth (cliff).

+ Who

This video was put together by the Dubai Film Production in partnership with Skydive Dubai and features the base jumping skills of Soul Flyers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen. These two world champions take the sport of base jumping to a new level by taking on the world’s tallest building Burj Khalifa. Vince and Fred leap from the pinnacle of the tower setting a new world record of 828 meters. Vince first saw the building three years before attempting the jump and he knew it would be a dream to take it on. The pair of French skydiving veterans trained for a week to prepare for this record setting event.

The video was sponsored by Skydive Dubai, who offer skydives over the extraordinary sights in Dubai. They also sponsor skydiving teams and athletes, including Soul Flyers World Champions Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen. Reffet and Fugen are French skydivers who have been diving and jumping for over a decade. Their parents of both were seasoned parachutists. They joined together on the French national Freefly team in 2004 and then soon after both joined the Skydive Empuria parachute club in Spain, the most prestigious skydiving school in Europe. They won World Championships in Freefly in 2004, 2006 and 2008. In addition to freefly and BASE jump, they are enthusiasts of canopy piloting, extreme landings, wind tunnel skydiving, wing suit flying and speed riding.

+ Where

The Burj Khalifa, or Khalifa Tower, is the world’s tallest building and located in Dubai. It is the tallest man-made structure in the world and was completed in 2009 and opened in 2010. The tower was designed and built by the firm of Skidmore, Owings and Merrill from Chicago. The building was designed to be the centerpiece of a huge development in Dubai to diversify the country’s economy from oil to tourism. It also holds the record for the tallest skyscraper, the building with the most floors (163) and the world’s highest elevator. Dubai is an emirate in the UAE, located on the southeast coast of the Persian Gulf. It is home to over 2 million people.

From the adrenalin pumping leap off the 828 meter building to the ground this whole video takes place as a base jump off the world’s tallest building in Dubai, Burj Khalifa. The Skydive Dubai helps set up this location for the pair of extreme skydivers Vince Reffet and Fred Fugen to set a new world record.

+ What

The video starts off by giving you a good idea of just how tall and immense the Burj Khalifa building is peaking with a orange tinted sunset shot of the platform at the pinnacle (0:23) where Vince and Fred will begin the leap. A little bit of dramatic lead up comes when the pair are standing on the edge of the platform (0:29) geared up and ready to go with a helicopter flying overhead in slow motion. It totally sets the scene and gets you on the edge of your chair waiting for what will happen next. The wide shot of Dubai in the background and this pinnacle stretching up into the sky (0:31) again let’s you experience just how high the 828 meters is above the ground. The jump begins with Vince and Fred having red smoke trailing off their feet as they lean over and leave the platform (0:37). The duo glides through the air taking your breath away (0:50) as they plummet toward the ground as they circle around the building. We get up close and personal with a point of view shot (1:04) as the two come together and grab hands to perform a little mid-air acrobatics twirling and spinning together. A shot from a third jumper (1:10) lets you see the two spin with Dubai in the background before they separate (1:13) and prepare to land back on Earth. The parachutes both deploy (1:17) and the intense journey is nearly complete. Both are safely on the ground (1:26) celebrating their triumph in the new record with the realization of a dream come true.

Read more
May 19 2014

Parkour doesn’t have to be on foot

Parkour has become more and more popular and you often watch a video to see people scaling buildings and leaping over various obstacles, but Ronnie Shalvis is taking parkour up a notch. Ronnie brings in a car and shows off his parkour skills by leaping, jumping, flipping and sliding all over a car. Ronnie doesn’t just stop with parked cars either, but also flips and jumps over a moving vehicle all at a park structure showing you that there is nothing you can’t do with parkour with a little time, a lot of talent and your imagination. He doesn’t even just leave it to jumping over or around a car, but going through as well leaving you shaking your head as you watch.

+ Who

Ronnie Shalvis stars in this car parkour video. He jumps, flips and slides over a parked car leaving you watching in amazement and wonder as he performs each stunt. The leaping and flying over a parked car is one thing, but Ronnie also adds a touch of style by jumping over a moving car as it’s driving by all filmed by Warialasky. Ronnie is a professional parkour trainer, free runner and stunt coordinator from Utah and has spent the last seven years training and perfecting his craft and for the last two years has worked as a professional stuntman with his crew.

+ Where

This video of Ronnie Shalvis is an urban landscape featuring a parking structure where he does all his parkour stunts. From moving cars to parked cars, Ronnie shows off his skills in parkour and free running. The Moscow – Minsk House provides the soundtrack as we watch Ronnie do his thing keeping the video upbeat and high energy.

+ What

Kicking off this video, Ronnie Shalvis drives into a deserted parking area and stops. Getting out he gets right to work showing of his parkour skills (0:14). After a few backflips to get a bit of distance, Ronnie leaps to the top of the car (0:18) and flips off before launching into his next set of skills. He leaps and jumps over the entire car (0:23) in a mix of power and grace. One of the most exciting moments is the complete jump over the car (0:42) without touching it at all adding in a little rolling flip. As the video continues, Ronnie opens the back doors on the car (0:51) and goes right through showing off his dexterity. An eye-catching moment is the leap off the cement wall (1:03) over the car driving by ending in a tuck and roll. After a few leaps over the car onto the cement wall (1:11) Ronnie really shows off his power by hurdling several parked cars (1:18) with different and unique moves.

Read more
May 17 2014

Meet Jumpy the parkour dog

Parkour is growing by leaps and bounds and it’s never been more apparent that this is a sport that has no limits than by meeting stuntman Alex Duong and Jumpy, the parkour dog. In this video, Alex and Jumpy show off just what is possible with parkour. You’ll be amazed and entertained as this duo jumps, flips and flies over all sorts of obstacles from trees to picnic tables to the soundtrack of “Straight West” by Kasket Club. Jumpy was trained by Omar VonMuller and teams up with Alex to entertain and amaze you with their skills and talents.

+ Who

This video was directed by Darren Dyk with Beyond SlowMotion and shows off the skills, talents and abilities of stuntman Alex Duong and Jumpy the Parkour Dog trained by Omar VonMuller. This duo teams up to showcase just what is possible with parkour and blast through the limits. Man’s best friend can definitely keep up and even upstage other two-legged partners. Jumpy flips and flies his way through this video as the two enjoy some time in the park.

+ Where

The video was made at a park and a skate park to allow both Alex and Jumpy plenty of obstacles to show off their skills. From easy things like leaping over bushes to scaling trees and leaping over picnic tables, this duo let’s nothing stand in their way as they play together in the park.

+ What

You get right into the action from the very beginning with this video of Alex and Jumpy as they get into their parkour fun. The pair vault over a garbage can (0:15) and launch you into a nonstop action adventure at the park. Jumpy starts to steal the show with his skateboarding skills (0:42) and then continues to amaze us with some tree climbing (1:31) and ball catching before jumping over Alex (2:06). However nothing stands out more in this high energy video than the double back flip (2:27) which just leaves your jaw dropping watching them in action. Another fun moment was watching the two leap over a picnic table (2:56) showing off both their power and grace. Watching Jumpy leap from post to post (3:06) followed by Alex is just a fun moment and continues to make you smile. This is a video you just have to watch more than once so that you can be sure you did see what you just saw.

Read more
Feb 02 2014

Team Zoic at Rebounderz

This fun video highlights Team Zoic, a parkour and freerunning team out of Orlando as they take on and conquer Rebounderz, a trampoline park in Orlando Florida. The team bounces around the trampolines, doing flips and kicks from trampoline to trampoline and into a foam pit. They also play dodgeball and dunk basketballs. The guys show off their parkour and freerunning skills all over this trampoline park and show how to get the most out of an amazingly fun theme park. Watch this video and you’ll definitely get the itch to head to the closest trampoline park to you get some bouncing in.

Rebounderz is the best trampoline park I’ve been to so far. Last time I was in Orlando I visited out another one called Airheads first, but it was closed for a kid’s birthday party. When I visited Rebounderz I was glad I hadn’t paid at the other one since it looked way better equipped. I spent a few hours jumping around and playing dodgeball. It’s amazing how tiring it is if you go all out.

+ Who

Team Zoic, or Zoic Nation, are a group of traceurs/freerunners from Orlando, Florida in the United States. The members are Jon Watson, Andy Taylor, Angle Santiago, Gareth Norvell, Mark Stowell, Will Brown, Crazy Stupid Kid Jimmy, Casey Jones. They have a very active presence on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and Vimeo. In their own words, they are a group dedicated to having fun and spreading their love of parkour, and not getting tied down in defining what it means to do parkour, free-running or tricking. They are simply all about having fun and accepting all styles as they get better and enjoy life.

+ Where

This video was filmed at Rebounderz in Orlando, Florida. Rebounderz is an indoor trampoline arena promising family fun and fitness. They have an open jump arena, with trampolines on the floor and sides that adds up to 24,000 square feet to jump. They also have a foam pit jumper, where you can launch yourself into a pit of foam squares, a dodgeball arena, and a basketball dunking jumper. They also host parties (which include pizza) and summer camps. On the Rebounderz website you can take a virtual tour, sign your wavier form (all jumpers must sign a waiver) and book your party.

+ What

The video begins with the Zoic crew getting out of their cars and heading in to the arena. They begin jumping (0:17) into the foam pit, and then take on the open jump arena (0:24). Shots of foam pit jumping and open pit jumping and flips are mixed until (1:18) when the crew gets together for an exciting game of dodgeball. At (1:38) we see some breakdancing on the floor. More dodgeball and shots of Rebounderz are joined by more foam pit jumping and then (2:15) basketball dunking. (2:35) the video ends with Jon Watson, the Youtuber and member who uploaded the video, talking about next week’s video and instructing users about how to manage their Youtube subscriptions.

Read more