About
What is the origin of the Challenge Coin?
This tradition has origins as far back as the Roman Empire where soldiers were presented with a special coin to commemorate their achievement. The element of “the challenge” is rumored to have been added by American service members in World War I who had a life-saving experience with a medallion that was “checked” after being shot down behind enemy lines. This idea spread and today the idea of the challenge coin and the “coin check challenge” or simply the “challenge” can be found through many different organizations, especially ones that value effort and shared experiences.
How did this come to parkour?
The Challenge Coin was first seen in the parkour context at the American Rendezvous event, which features an elite group of coaches that donate a week of their time to coach at one of the largest parkour workshops in the world. This coin is a small but meaningful way to celebrate these experienced parkour coaches as well as for them to recognize each other as they make their way around the globe.
PkGen Boston and the other branches around the globe then expanded this tradition and today the circle of honorees also includes our most dedicated community members, who show up consistently through all weather and settings to grow through challenging themselves. Each branch has its own unique coin that is used to recognize members that have hit a significant milestone in their practice.
How does one get a challenge coin?
Challenge coins are never purchased, they can only be earned through effort. Each coin is only presented after completing a significant challenge or to mark a significant milestone. We generally present these Challenge Coins at the end of large events so that we can take a moment to celebrate you and your accomplishments with the wider community.
What does one do with a challenge coin?
You are welcome to display your coin as you’d like, but we also invite you to join the “The Challenge”, a global tradition shared by those who have earned their coins at PkGen branches or events.
The Challenge - How it works
To opt in, issue a challenge with your coin. Once you opt in, you are in for good.
To issue a challenge:
1) Present your coin to the group. Anyone who has earned a coin must retrieve their coin within 10 seconds / 10 steps.
2) Anyone with the coin at hand may opt out of the challenge.
3) If someone does not have their coin, they must attempt the challenge designated.
* Challenges are limited to one per day per person, may not endanger the health or well-being of the group or the general public, and should not be issued during classes or instruction time.
