Practitioners of parkour, BMX and longboarding rely on family support. Yang Zekun reports.

Although Zhang Ning's son is famous in the world of parkour in China, the father rarely mentions his boy's skills and achievements to colleagues and friends.

Instead, his fervent wish is that 27-year-old Zhang Yunpeng, who holds a Guinness World Record in the sport－in which practitioners, or "tracers", move through complex environments by running, climbing and jumping without equipment－stays safe during competitions.

Over the past three decades, extreme sports have attracted tens of thousands of participants, but that has led to enormous pressure on the parents of these fearless young people, who are usually the family's only child.

Whenever Zhang Ning knows his son is participating in a parkour competition or exhibition, he and his wife become extremely nervous because they worry about the many uncontrollable factors of the sport that could lead to injuries.

The father, from Datong, Shanxi province, wanted his son to finish undergraduate studies, irrespective of whether that was in the liberal arts or sciences, and then find a stable job like other people's children. He certainly didn't view sports as a good career choice.

Supportive stance

When he was in junior high school, Zhang Yunpeng was addicted to online games and showed no interest in studying, resulting in a poor academic performance. Although Zhang Ning complained to his son many times, the boy's attitude didn't change until parkour caught his attention.

"We thought that having a sports-based hobby was not a bad thing－at least he would have a healthy body and a regular life. He also shed his addiction to online games, so my wife and I acquiesced, but initially we showed no obvious opposition or support for him practicing parkour," Zhang Ning said.

After noticing that Zhang Yunpeng showed potential and achieved outstanding results in many competitions and exhibitions, the family gradually became more supportive and helped him financially, covering almost all his training expenses and attending events nationwide.

His mother relocated to Taiyuan, capital of Shanxi province, and rented a house near Shanxi Sports Vocational School, where Zhang Yunpeng studied, to take care of his diet and daily life until he graduated in 2012.

"Interest is the best teacher for children. We want our son to achieve something in sports by being a professional and a leading parkour master, so we supported him－especially his mother, who accompanied him for years. I also visited a lot to encourage him at that time," Zhang Ning said.

Zhou Ran, 68, whose son is a BMX rider from Beijing, said she cannot change his mind about the sport, although she once asked him to stop taking part.

Her son, Liang Wenqing, 36, has been hooked on BMX since 1999 and shows no signs of quitting. Zhou is impressed by Liang's persistence and thinks having an interest in sports is a good thing.

There was a period when Liang was obsessed with BMX and cared about nothing but training. However, many of his friends who had competed with him for several years quit the sport, which had a huge impact, Zhou said.

"I know that for a long time my son was quite lonely chasing his dream, so he needed my support, although he never said so," she said.

"He appreciates my support, which, in truth, I don't want to give because no parent wants their child to get involved in such a dangerous sport and worry about them getting hurt. But parents shouldn't interfere too much in their children's decisions either－we cannot force them to go on a route designed by us and leave them with no interests."

While Zhou offers almost no advice, she always listens when Liang talks about his life, work and training. She feels that chasing the BMX dream is hard and Liang needs a place to open his heart sometimes.

Liang coaches the Beijing Freestyle BMX team and other young riders. Zhou thinks her son's involvement could help to raise standards among China's BMX riders.

"If nobody promotes the sport, there will be less general support, and young people who love the sport wouldn't find a proper place to go or a group to practice with. That could mean they stop training," Zhou said.

"I am proud of my son－he makes great efforts in the sport and is persistent. I hope he will succeed. If a young man changes his mind day after day, he may achieve nothing. He is an adult, and I shouldn't have to tell him what to do. All I need to do is support him fully."

Growing concerns

Extreme sports provide participants with excitement and a sense of freedom, but many are injured or even killed every year. In May, a 22-year-old female wingsuit flying enthusiast died during a jump in the central province of Hunan.

Zhang Ning and his wife began to worry about their son's safety after noticing that he had been injured several times during training. They also knew that some of his friends had been seriously injured or killed when taking part in the sport.

"He has decided to take the parkour path. We cannot stop him and we choose to support him, believing that he can protect himself adequately, and bury our worries inside. We often tell him to be well-prepared before undertaking the moves to avoid injury," Zhang Ning said.

In July 2018, Zhang Yunpeng set a world record by jumping over four sports cars that were speeding toward him in a line at about 80 kilometers an hour, breaking the previous best of three cars held by an athlete from the United States.

Zhang Ning attended the event, but only after he had struggled for a long time to decide whether to view the performance on the spot. He didn't want to watch because of a potential accident, but he was determined to be there for his son in the event of injury.

"My wife and I went to the venue, but instead of trying to push our way through the crowd and stand at the front, we walked back and forth anxiously about 100 meters away. We waited until he had completed the challenge safely, and then left," he said.

He added that his son rarely tells him about injuries he has suffered, but he and his wife have taken their son to the hospital several times. The long waits depressed them and they never want to experience that again.

All Zhou's knowledge of BMX comes from sports channels she has watched with her son. She thinks the moves are risky, but understands that they excite spectators. She has repeatedly asked herself if she is right to support Liang because he has been injured so many times.

To save her from worrying, Liang rarely tells her about competitions he has entered and never invites her to training sessions. Zhou simply watches video clips after the competition has finished.

"Every time I know he will attend a competition or exhibition performance, I am very nervous, but I cannot call him before the competition because it would disturb his concentration. All I can do is stay home and pray he doesn't get hurt," she said.

"I expected him to quit BMX once he hit 30 and find another job. I know he will do all types of work well because he is diligent and devoted to whatever he does. Now, I have gradually shelved my concerns and accepted my son's work and lifestyle, just so long as he is able to live happily and safely."

Career development

Zhang Yunpeng, who took up parkour in 2009, is publicizing the sport and acting in films. Although the young man has enjoyed success in Chinese parkour circles, his father still doesn't think it is a good career choice.

The younger Zhang has also been studying Jackie Chan's films and has moved into the movie industry to act and work as a stunt director. His father thinks this is a better option than pure sport, and hopes Zhang Yunpeng will make a breakthrough in the industry.

Many of Zhang Ning's colleagues admire and praise his son's talent, but he doesn't see much to crow about, because the sport is dangerous. After all, if Zhang Yunpeng had an accident those same colleagues might blame the father for allowing him to take part.

"The biggest progress for my son is that he has become sunny, and understands life better than before and has a clear life goal. People who have spoken with him think he is very collected and stylish. His future is in his own hands and I cannot help him too much, except by giving him guidance to face life and difficulties bravely," Zhang Ning said.

Longboard lover

Wu Hongjun is a farmer in Jilin province. His 29-year-old son, Wu Enming, is a professional longboard rider who has his own brand and media platforms in Zhengzhou, capital of Henan province.

The 51-year-old doesn't approve of his son's activity, so he was pleased when Wu Enming took a stable job as an urban planner after finishing college in Wuhan, capital of Hubei province. However, the young man quit after about six months and moved to Beijing to focus on his longboard brand. He relocated to Zhengzhou last year.

Wu Hongjun was angry, and other family members were also firmly opposed to Wu Enming's decision to quit his job, because in their opinion sports will not bring him a stable future and showcase his talents.

"I was so sad when I heard he had lived in a basement in Beijing for a year when he practiced the longboard there. The family worried about him after learning he had quit his 6,000 yuan-a-month job, especially as he only earned about 3,000 yuan a month in Beijing. We didn't know how his future would be without a stable job and income," Wu Hongjun said. He added that riding the longboard is a young person's sport, so as Wu Enming ages and begins to lack the energy required, he may find his efforts were in vain and he will be left with regrets.

Wu Hongjun is also worried that the risks inherent in extreme sports may affect his son's marriage prospects and scare the parents of future girlfriends.

In China, parental opinions often have a significant influence on children's decisions regarding jobs, marriage, children and almost every aspect of life. Some parents even arrange matchmaking dates for their unmarried children.

"What if his future girlfriend's parents don't want their daughter to marry a man who plays extreme sports? Maybe I am a little stubborn or traditional, but I think all parents hope their child and their family can live safely and stably," Wu Hongjun said.

He often asked his son to drop the sport, but gave up after understanding Wu Enming's passion for longboarding and the fact that he had overcome many obstacles on his journey.

"I didn't have the heart to obstruct his choice, so I was helpless. After thinking about it for several days, I realized that it is his life's path, so he should follow his heart, no matter if that brings pain or joy, failure or success. Additionally, the extreme sports scene is improving in China, so he may seize some opportunities and be a success," Wu Hongjun said.

Wu Enming returns to Jilin once or twice a year, and whenever Wu Hongjun gets the chance, the two discuss the young man's career plans, work and relationships. Although Wu Hongjun still doesn't fully support his son, he has full confidence in his ability.

"I often tell him that no matter what job he does, he must plan well, ensure his own safety and not make the family worry too much. He always says that he keeps those words uppermost in his mind," Wu Hongjun said.