The Commons

What is a Norf??

Norf falls into the category of “your favorite freerunner’s favorite freerunners.” Though they haven’t found social media notoriety; They are deeply respected in the core community for their creativity, filmmaking, and attention to detail. The movement across the team is diverse, but centers on memorable spot choice and inventive spot use.

Norf also garners attention for their online “critiques” — to put it diplomatically. They are save-your-clips warriors, educated critics, and occasional hooligans. For better or worse — we think for better — they are standing up against toxic positivity, Instagram e-waste, and brazen incompetence.

Their biggest strength is their willingness to take inspiration from other action sports. As Noah puts it:

“Honestly the reason we talk so much shit is because we are so inspired by other action sports. Our noses are really heavy into their media, and comparing that alongside parkour media — while sometimes the differences are really good — points out how much more we need to grow. Things shouldn’t be pushed away because another sport did it already, parkour doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel for filming and editing. To break out of the box you need to start in the box, and a lot of parkour people are aimlessly throwing darts at the wall and hoping they land on the bullseye.

It feels like in parkour we celebrate any time somebody worked hard and made something — and I feel like the days of that should be over. It’s really important for there to be a space for people to say when they don’t like something, because that pushes the community forward.

Instagram is causing parkour to erase it’s own history. Every day I see a new clip that is incredible, and the next day I can’t remember it at all. Some people are trying so hard to fit the mold of becoming a content creator on social media, and that really strips the essence of what parkour is about. We understand that people want to make a living from it, but you have to know that if you’re going to make a living in that way you are selling a piece of yourself to corporate platforms. We are taking away from our own history by turning our feats into Instagram e-waste.”

How many instagram clips can you remember from last year? I remember one or two. How many parts, edits, and long form projects do you remember from ten years ago. I remember dozens. More video parts and long from video will help us sustain a community, instead of just our individual selves. Legacies are not built on Instagram.

Who are the Norf kids?

Norf is Niko Selski, Ethan Rud, Myles Ross, and Noah Heath. Each is virtuosic in their own regard, and special things happen when they are all together.

Noah is generally the guy who moves the chains. Noah is a gifted filmmaker, and also one of the most driven and tenacious people I have ever met. Filmmaking and parkour are not a hobby for Noah, “[he is] willing to sacrifice almost everything in [his] life for it, it’s impossible to detach.” Noah is equally gifted on both sides of the camera, and threw down some class movement for Lullaby.

Ethan Rud is a little goblin who runs around wreaking havoc and filling our hearts with joy and laughter. He is simultaneously one of the greatest movers of our generation and a frustratingly-effortless visionary creative force.

Niko Selski is good-hearted, warm, and philosophical. They are one of the most universally beloved people in our community, and also one of our community’s most talented visual artists. Niko balances out Norf’s sometimes-critical attitude with seemingly endless positivity, compassion, and activism.

Myles is a balancing force for Norf. Noah describes, “he’s the one who really keeps us all level headed and who brings unconditional love. He takes us out of our shell and makes us realize that it’s not just about making cool things; it’s about being a functioning family and loving each other through shared creation.” Myles is also a dedicated and talented film photographer.

Where is Norf?

Norf hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota — although the team will be spreading across the country over the next few months.

When is Norf?

Today, motherfucker.

The future of Norf is uncertain, but everybody is passionate about each other, parkour, and creation so it seems unlikely that this is truly the end.

Why is Norf?

what?

Written by Alec Reduker in collaboration with Noah Heath

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