One of Bristol’s major parkour athletes Joe Scandrett tore his achillies tendon leaving him out of work and training for a year.
With 1.9 million followers on Instagram, Scandrett relies on sponsorship deals and Instagram engagement for his income and this accident is a well-known nightmare among the Bristol and international parkour community.
While on a shoot for Bristol based athletics company Chosen Few in the town centre, Scandrett says as jumping over a gate and stepping off a pallet his ankle hyperextended and tore his achillies.
“My main income is through posting online and posting my parkour parkour stunts through social media, I can’t go out and film new content for brands, so I am not going to have any financial income”.
The outcome to most cases of a torn achillies is surgery to repair it however this means a longer recovery period.
“Being optimistic it will be at least 6 to twelve months before I can do sports of any type of low level now.”
Joe Scandrett is known for his high impact and shock value videos so for this injury to occur on something considerably less high risk is incredibly unique.
“It’s a pretty disappointing that there isn’t even anything I can really learn from the injury. I didn’t physically do anything wrong it was just a freak accident. But I suppose that’s what can be expected when you’re pushing yourself physically and mental during any sport at any level.”
“The parkour scene will continue to push forward I assume. Also I don’t plan on actively removing myself from it during my recovery. I will still be out with everyone while their training and shooting projects. I will just have to take a step back and enjoy living vicariously through everyone else.”
Bristol will continue to see the parkour scene challenging themselves and shocking the public with Scandrett there supporting them.
