YouTubers @Charles&Mélanie create an Ibiza obstacle with a French twist
More on Red Bull Ibiza Royale obstacle designers
When you first heard about this new obstacle race, what did you think?
I thought that it has to be done! As someone who has been involved in parkour, I think there’s been a missing opportunity in obstacle racing: some really magic obstacles that could be challenging in a way different to anything that’s come before. We were grateful for the invitation, and I was like, “Yeah, let’s do it!”
Charles Poujade
© Leo Rosas/Red Bull Ibiza Royale
Has either of you ever been to Ibiza before?
No! We’re on a high because we love to discover new places around the world, and April will be our first time in Ibiza. It seems like a place that has something for everyone.
Most of the obstacles are being designed by individuals, but you created yours as a team. How was that?
We work together all the time, so it’s natural.
We are very complementary. I know how to build things from the technical standpoint, but I am not the most creative person – however Mélanie is very creative, so putting our heads together has resulted in some good things.
Mélanie Buffetaud
© Leo Rosas/Red Bull Ibiza Royale
Had you ever done anything quite like your Ibiza obstacle?
Not to this extent, but I built a parkour gym, so I made some obstacles there. And Mélanie just created the first human loop track. My goal was to be one of the first humans to go all the way around a vertical loop while running. Mélanie conceptualised the loop and conceived the style. The video made maybe 2 million views on French YouTube.
Tell us about the workshop where all the obstacle designers came together to brainstorm their ideas.
The designers were very creative and talented people. We appreciated the chance to share this experience with them, and the ideas from all those innovative minds were really unique and inspiring.
The sky was the limit with what we could imagine, but the challenge came with adapting our ideas to the requirements of the actual terrain. Fun fact – we discovered that we actually knew some of the builders, and it was great to collaborate with them. They’d say, “OK, your idea is very good, but we have such and such constraints, so how can we make everything work?” I think we succeeded.
It’s something that we’ve never seen in an obstacle race, for sure
The obstacle that you’ve envisioned is called Pendulum Parkour. Can you describe it?
Our obstacle is in three long parts that together form a U shape. The first part is like a trap that a hero would face in an adventure movie. There’s a series of axe-type blades swinging back and forth, and you have to pass through them without being touched or falling into a foam pit. And you’re running on a beam, so that makes it even more challenging.
The second part is a cooperation walk where you have to cross a narrow ledge that has gaps, and it’s only possible with the help of your mate. And in the last part you have to run very fast in order to jump a gap.
It’s something that we’ve never seen in an obstacle race, for sure.
Sketch of Pendulum Parkour
© Samuele Cocchiaro / Red Bull Ibiza Royale
So what kind of skills will this obstacle be challenging?
Timing, coordination and balance, cooperation, and then speed for the last part.
And what’s fun is that elite athletes could fail and random people could have success.
I’m not a professional athlete, but I could do this.
Right, I’ve been a professional athlete, but I could fail on this one, and Mélanie could succeed. It just depends. I think it’s far from the most physical obstacle – it’s all about timing and visualisation. So if you know how to run, and you’re basically a person who enjoys fitness or being sporty, you can make it.
If you were going to give a tip for handling your obstacle, what would it be?
“Speed is not everything.” Or, to put it another way, “Power is nothing without control.”
I hope everyone will be scratching their head at how the course was built and how crazy and amazing the experience was
When the event is over, what do you hope the participants will take with them?
For those who have done some kind of race before, I hope they’ll be thinking that this was the best racing course of their life. And I hope everyone will be scratching their head at how the course was built and how crazy and amazing the experience was.”