Prelims

Half Title Page

Parkour, Deviance and Leisure in the Late-Capitalist City

Series Page

Emerald Studies in Deviant Leisure

Series Editors: Thomas Raymen, Plymouth University, UK; Oliver Smith, Plymouth University, UK; Steve Redhead, Flinders University, Australia.

The Emerald Studies in Deviant Leisure series examines the relationship between commodified leisure and harm. The series provides a forum for publications that explore the harms of commodified leisure against a wider backdrop of consumerism and global capitalism. The series transcends disciplinary boundaries and will publish work from the fields of Criminology, Sociology, Youth Studies, Leisure Studies, Tourism Studies, Cultural Geography, Urban Studies and more. The series publishes monographs, edited collections and short books (ranging from 20,000 to 50,000 words). Proposals from early career researchers are particularly welcome.

Title Page

Parkour, Deviance and Leisure in the Late-Capitalist City: An Ethnography

Thomas Raymen

Plymouth University, UK

United Kingdom – North America – Japan India – Malaysia – China

Copyright Page

Emerald Publishing Limited

Howard House, Wagon Lane, Bingley BD16 1WA, UK

First edition 2019

Copyright © Thomas Raymen, 2019

Published under exclusive licence by Emerald Publishing Limited

Reprints and permissions service

Contact: permissions@emeraldinsight.com

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without either the prior written permission of the publisher or a licence permitting restricted copying issued in the UK by The Copyright Licensing Agency and in the USA by The Copyright Clearance Center. Any opinions expressed in the chapters are those of the authors. Whilst Emerald makes every effort to ensure the quality and accuracy of its content, Emerald makes no representation implied or otherwise, as to the chapters’ suitability and application and disclaims any warranties, express or implied, to their use.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

ISBN: 978-1-78743-812-5 (Print)

ISBN: 978-1-78743-811-8 (Online)

ISBN: 978-1-78743-986-3 (Epub)

Dedication

Dedicated to Sam and Oscar, for putting up with me.

To the memory of Professor Steve Redhead and his intellectual spirit.

Contents

List of Figures

Acknowledgements

This is a research monograph that took five years in the making, dating back to the beginnings of my doctoral research. Gratitude is owed to a number of people who have been instrumental at various stages of this project. First thanks must go to my doctoral supervisors, Kate O’Brien and Roger Smith. You allowed me to take my PhD in a direction that was drastically from the original project and trusted me to follow my own nose. I know that many PhD students are not so lucky.

A great deal of appreciation must go to everyone at Emerald Publishing for making my first foray into book writing such a smooth process. Specifically, thanks to Philippa Grand for showing an interest in the work of deviant leisure and being so enthusiastic about commissioning the book series and to Rachel Ward for being patient with my missed deadlines.

Thanks also to friends and colleagues who are too numerous to mention. Special thanks to Steve Hall and Simon Winlow who provided enormous intellectual inspiration and continue to offer personal support, wisdom and encouragement. Steve Redhead and Tara Brabazon offered support and enthusiasm from half a world away that provided a brilliant shot of confidence. James Treadwell, Alex Hall, Jo Large and Tammy Ayres have provided plenty of laughs and support along the way and listened to lots of frustrated rants.

Thanks to the entire Criminology and Criminal Justice (CCJS) team at Plymouth University for offering me my first gig in academia and being great colleagues. In particular, thanks to Zoë James for an immense amount of support that often goes unacknowledged in the background. Special thanks must also go to Oliver Smith. As a colleague, a co-writer and a friend, his help has been invaluable in developing the ideas in this book and carefully reading over draft copies of the manuscript. It’s been a pleasure to develop the deviant leisure perspective with you over a few beers and chicken wings. I owe you so many pints.

Thanks to my Mum and Dad who show unwavering encouragement and enthusiasm for my work. Does a free copy of this book count as a legitimate Christmas present this year?

Most importantly, thanks to my partner, Sam, who has made huge sacrifices and provided an enormous amount of love, support and a healthy dose of perspective when needed. You have listened to me talk about parkour and deviant leisure more than anyone ever should. Thank you for being so patient and understanding; I do not care to think where I would be without you. Thanks also to Oscar for being the cutest form of book-writing procrastination. You two are everything to me.

Lastly, I will always be grateful to the Newcastle parkour community and every person I spoke to during this research. There’s not a book without you. Thanks for bringing me into your group, teaching me the ways of parkour and tolerating my curious interest in your lives. I doubt that you’ll like everything that follows in this book, but I did my best to tell it like it is.