So many memories of Zade. I was lucky to have the privilege of knowing him for 15 years. Here is the tribute I read out at his funeral:
It was 2005 and a documentary had just aired on Channel 4 called “Jump Britain”. It introduced me, and the whole of the UK to the incredible French movement art called “Parkour”. Not long after seeing this, I began to notice something ‘different’ about the city of Nottingham. Many times I would be walking down a street and see, off in the distance, a luminous figure - dressed all in blue, or, all in red, - *often standing on top of a bin* - , surrounded my young people looking on in awe, as he explosively jumped from bin to bench, bench to bin or wall to wall. I would turn to my girlfriend and say; “That’s that guy again!” “Doing Parkour!”, then we’d continue walking on. This happened numerous times, and on every occasion I knew I was looking at someone special - someone who was making this city his own and enjoying every second of it.
Then, one night when out running in the city, I came across this very figure once again and actually got the courage to speak to him, asking if he was doing Parkour. He said yes, introduced himself as Zade and immediately invited me to come and try it. After that we’d regularly meet up in the city and he began showing me around the ‘spots’ and taught me an array of moves he was so adept at. It was a whole new world!
He also introduced me to gymnastics where we would drive to the local club every Monday, training Parkour moves and flips. I was, unfortunately, unable to keep training back then which could have been the end of my journey with Parkour if it hadn’t been for Zade. Persistent doesn't begin to describe him! We’d regularly talk on MSN Messenger and he’d constantly encourage me to come back to training, pretty much every week - for 6 years! “Next summer I’ll be back” (but I wasn’t!).. I finally joined the community proper in 2011 and have been with them ever since. Without Zade keeping me up to date on the community and pushing me to return I doubt I ever would have. Without Zade, my life would not be what it is today!
I was privileged to spend 8 years training Parkour weekly with Zade, as he helped me to progress and push past my mental barriers. The laughter, banter, trolling and total youthful silliness made every Saturday a real event to look forward to. It was also Zade who decided to punish us all physically every Thursday evening with the pure beasting, ‘Hell Night’, street work out! While it was never easy, sharing the pain together in the evening city air was something that I’ll never forget. Zade would be continually modifying the workout routine to make it even more challenging (and painful!), adding in some crazy bodyweight exercises he found online. His workout creativity - and some would say sadism - was unmatched!
From first meeting Zade when he was 18, I saw him grow from, shall we say, a “basic” communicator to being one of the best writers I know. All self-taught, his desire to improve his writing skills through blog posts, direct messages and social media was inspiring. I’ll never forget the pages and pages of messages we’ve shared on so many different topics over the years (it could take an hour to reply!), along with the many interactions on Facebook. Even though he could be the king of trolls - *taking glee* from winding me up at times - I will miss that biting sense of humour, desire to have fun and his much deeper side, that not everyone saw. My Facebook feed is a much quieter and less engaging place now...
It was because of Zade that I was inspired to get into photography, and keep it up. He would have his camera out every session, capturing awesome shots of the community - always striving to find the best angle, composition and moment (along with catching those goofy embarrassing facial expressions - that everyone *loved* so much!). When I bought my camera, we’d always be comparing shots and sharing ideas, immortalizing each amazing Parkour session. Zade was the only person who would look through every single album I posted online, offering praise and constructive criticism. I would do the same on his albums and over time this became one of the major motivations to keep on shooting and editing. “What will Zade think of this shot?”. I am going to desperately miss the feedback, growing together and sharing the passion for photography, that Zade had in spades. A part of my love for photography has been lost...
Zade was without doubt a TV show addict and expert. He’d keep me up to date on all the new shows coming out and give detailed critiques of the best and worst of them. I can’t list the amount of shows he’d switch me onto - like my own personal TV guide! While we didn’t always agree, I’d love hearing his thoughts on what he was watching - sharing in the vibes when we both were totally absorbed in a great one. My TV watching life is not quite as exciting as it once was...
He may be gone but looking through the photos I captured of him over the years, has reminded me of the amazing impact he has had on the Nottingham Parkour community and how many lives he has touched. He would open his arms to *anyone* who wanted to train Parkour, regardless of age, gender, race, religion or *TV show preferences*! Everyone was warmly welcomed and given any support and encouragement they needed. I know that he helped a number of young kids get through their teen years, taking a much more positive life path than they otherwise might have!
The stories, photographs and videos will keep the spirit of Zade alive for decades to come - such an impact he has had over 15 years of being a core part of our city, keeping the great Nottingham Parkour community thriving.
There is, and will only ever be, one — Luke "Lucozade" Callinan.
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