September Camp

Spring Camp: What a weekend

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It all started on Friday 10th September, most people arrived that afternoon, the sun was going down, not a cloud was in the sky and the birds were singing. A little later others started to arrive with stories of not being able to understand the map that was sent out. In one instance Nicki (a member of the Napier dojo) started off for Taihape, before realising the error of her ways. When Sensei Brian arrived (after taking a few wrong turns) he went to ring Sempai Andrew (another traveller from Wellington) to make sure he actually read the map, only to find that there was no cell phone coverage that far into the hills. That night we all settled in with soup available and the fire going in the main hall wondering what lay ahead.

http://www.karate.org.nz/dojos/napier/Picture%202/image_view

http://www.karate.org.nz/dojos/napier/Picture%203/image_view

Saturday Morning and most people were up before the 6:30 am Reveille getting themselves prepared for the 7:00 run. The sun was up, we did a few stretches and off we went in two groups seniors and juniors. As we set off Sensei Iona and Sempai’s Rob and Alex were sweating it with Sensei Brian in the Dojo. After Breakfast the kyu grades had their first training session, which meant we moved down to the grass area, as it was such a nice day. With everybody a little apprehensive as to what was ahead we soon got into our work. Sensei Brian had us stretching our legs at one stage with mawashi geri’s to the legs and holding it for two seconds before retracting. Things were looking good, everybody was happy, then we did the same at chudan level and all of a sudden the mood changed, worry was setting in. Then we redefined jodan, see you all thought that jodan was above the shoulders, but no, going on majority rule that morning it was approximately belt height. Needless to say that when we headed to lunch that day we were excited about what we learnt and were looking forward to what lay ahead.

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That afternoon we split in to groups that reflected our kyu grade and received some specific tuition on Kata, from the black belts. After this we joined together and practiced various techniques. A big thank you must go to Dave for standing so close to Sensei Brian when he happened to be demonstrating technique. We all breathed a sigh of relief and he received one-on-one training. A little later on that day Sensei Brian took us down to the river where we broke boulders (long skinny pebbles) with our hands for a bit of fun, then ended our day in the river doing press-ups and yes it was cold. When we got out every body was laughing and we went back to the training area to bow out and get ready for dinner. Dinner was a special event that night for a couple of reasons, firstly the meal was prepared by our chef Ange who put on the spread and all the other meals with what seemed very little effort for great results. The second reason is that it was a night where faces from the past were invited to join us to remember past trainings and camps, and catch up with old friends. The night was a success and a fun time was had by all.

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Sunday as you have most probably guessed was a slow start. When we got up everybody was grumbling at having been woken up and having to go for a run at 7:00, a total reversal of the day before. So with red eyes and sore legs we jogged out the aches, while the black belts received more training, after which we headed in for breakfast. After breakfast the grading started, while the brown belts went with Sempai Andrew for some speed work. The Grading was comprehensive with all Dojo’s acquitting themselves well, and the improvement from the last grading in individuals was clearly evident. Sensei’s Brian and Iona both expressing their pleasure at seeing the effort that everybody who graded had put in. We ate lunch that day in the hall realising that training at the camp had come to its conclusion. Dave gave a speech in which he thanked Sensei Brian and Iona for running the training sessions, the various Dojo’s for supporting the event, the parent’s who helped out with the Kitchen duty, the visitors who came throughout the weekend, our honoured guests from the night before and Ange our chef for organising and preparing such wonderful fare. That wrapped things up and this was backed up by Sensei Iona. That afternoon we said our goodbyes and travelled back to our regions (Gisbourne, Dannevirke, Waipukurau, Wellington, Taupo, Napier) with an increasing sense of enthusiasm and pride in the way we practice Goju Ryu.

Matt Fleming
1st Kyu
Napier Goju Ryu Karate Do