IKOKC SUMMER CAMP 2017

IKOKC SUMMER CAMP 2017

21 August
Monday, 21 August 2017 19:25 Last Updated on Thursday, 31 August 2017 20:41 Written by ET 0 Comments

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Thank you to all the Shihans and Senseis and others who organized yet another wonderful summer camp.  The sessions were fun and informative and everything ran so smoothly – apart from the neighbour who never turned up to run midnight training.
Because I was doing my grading, the whole focus of my weekend was on that. I was stunned and honoured that you said I was best prepared from my grading.  I did work very hard and spent about 12 hours per week training and studying, but I had so much support and that is what really counted.  As you know, I came to train at your dojo as often as I could manage it.  I signed up for every Vancouver based work project I could get.  I also trained with Sensei Anthony a couple of times, and before he left, Shihan Tats.  I also asked Sensei Alex if he could help me with my tonfa and he came early one night to Shihan Tats’ dojo to help me.  Sempai Arthur came to the island to train with us.  All of these instructors gave so generously of their time and knowledge, I am very grateful to them and to you.
On the island, Sempai Brad and I couldn’t get together as often as we had hoped – our dojo training nights are the same , but we did manage a couple dojo field trips to Ladysmith and he managed to come to Gabriola a few times as well.  Having a partner going through the same thing was really helpful, and Sempai Brad is a walking Japanese encyclopedia – I learned a lot from him.  We were in touch by e-mail a lot too.
At my home dojo, every student from the youngest to oldest helped me.  Rowyn Vincent collected every one of the boards I broke.  I have no idea what she is doing with them but it gave me motivation to make sure I broke them.  Mya Diggan reminded me to play games and have fun.  Sydney Diggon had the perfect conditioning punch for me – nice and hard but not unbearably so.  The younger students were always in the sparring line up and I asked them to use their non-contact speed to make me work fast, fast, fast and they did.  Because Sensei’s concussion kept him from instructing, I had tons of the support from the older students who would run half the class or take over for me when I was out of the dojo.  Adam Velsen was great, taking over and organizing many classes, Dave Vincent turned up unfailingly to Friday night fitness and fighting at our home dojo and stepped up to the plate for sparring even when no one else came along so it was very demanding.  Simon Reeves was my strongest sparring partner and did not hesitate to hit hard.  Even though I felt like I was run over by a truck some mornings, I still appreciate it.  Paul O’Sullivan is also my coworker and I know he had an eye on me at work to make sure I was coping okay.  And Sensei Mike, did everything his concussion would possibly allow him to and more.  He came to the dojo as soon as he could, even though he is not yet training and stayed at the back, doing stretches.  Every so often, he would pop up and offer critical and essential feedback at just the right time.  He was also always available to answer my questions or to quickly look at just one kata and give feedback.  It was extremely difficult for him not to be involved full time in my physical training.  However, he is always a moral and spiritual support and was available no matter how crappy he was feeling to help. I know that he shielded me from the worst of his concussion symptoms because he didn’t want to worry me.  Even my 84 year old mother helped out by cooking our dinners on training nights.  Oh, and I don’t think my friends have disowned me for never coming to any social events because I had to train or get to bed early.  So you see Shihan, I thank you for your kind words and I pass them along to all the people who supported me.  I had a ton of help.  Osu!
Sempai Arthur thought that perhaps the Dan candidates would be called on to do a skit, so we had a couple of quick meetings and e-mail exchanges to get that organized.  It was one of my favourite times because all of the candidates got together to work on something.   After winter camp, it was the only time we were all together not in a training class.  I thought it was really great and would say that if it is possible, to include something like that every year where the Dan candidates get together to plan some kind of entertainment, even if it is a group costume for the costume event.
I really enjoyed the dojo operators meeting at camp.  Shihan Brad did a great job.  I went to be Sensei’s second because he had to leave part way through.  I remember that you commented on wanting either to understand or find out more about the changing demographic in Richmond.  A very good friend of mine is the operations director at the Vancouver airport.  She is in charge of public consultation and recently has also been working on getting more cities in China to fly into Vancouver.  I think she could possibly have a lot of information about the demographic in Richmond as well as how to communicate and market to them.  Also, she would know a lot about doing business in the Chinese culture.  If you wanted, I would be happy to speak with her about what your challenges are and see if she was willing to share what she knows.  Just let me know.
I was chatting with one of the woman at camp and they were surprised to hear I wore breast guards during the sparring and asked if I had asked permission.  I looked at the optional safety gear and saw they are not listed there.  I am very sorry, it didn’t even occur to me that I should ask permission.  I sincerely apologise. I always recommend my students purchase and wear breast guards and consider them standard safety equipment.  Here is my thinking on this:
– although not technically part of the female reproduction system, breasts are sensitive tissue and important at least after reproduction for nursing babies.
– I have not found any research that shows blows to the breast are connected to breast cancer, however, they may cause hard lumps in the breast.  This can cause women to worry it is cancer .  They then ask for screening tests.  This is not necessarily a bad thing as it might lead to early detection of some other cancer, but it also means medical resources are being used up unnecessarily.  Also, the time lag between testing and results can be quite traumatizing for some women.
– I have checked in Sosai’s books and the breast itself is not listed as a target so wearing breast guards does not give an unfair advantage
– I only recommend one particular kind of breast guard – the Cool Guard Protective Bra. It has two small and slighlty flexible cups that cover only the breast area.
It is the only one that does not cover the solar plexus, which, as you know, is a standard target area.  I disagree with covering the solar plexus because it gives women an unfair advantage and it does not allow them to train the diaphragm muscle properly for their own protection.
– wearing a breast guard makes it easier for the men to spar with women.  They can hit to the chest area freely without worrying about accidentally touching breasts.
– After my grading, one of the women said as soon as they started sparring with me they realized I was not afraid to hit breasts because I was targeting the shoulders and upper chest.  If men are avoiding this area, women are not learning to spar properly.
Sorry for the long winded explanation!  If you agree with my thinking, would you possibly consider adding the Cool Guard Protective Bra and breast guard to the optional equipment list for grading sparring?
I have also been wondering about recommending it for tournaments but realize this is a much different and far more involved conversation and decision to make.
Osu, thank you Shihan for all you do.  I know we see only a fraction of it.  The IKOKC is an outstanding organization.
OSU!  EJ

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2014 Summer Camp report

 

Kyokushin Summer Camp has almost become a family tradition for us. We train hard, we have fun, we learn something new, but most importantly–we meet new people and get to know each other better.

To me this camp was special–I had to undergo the final portion of my Dan grading–30 man kumite. Although, to my own surprise, I was less nervous than I expected, the thought of it was always in the back of my mind.

The theme of the first class was 1000 punches, 1000 kicks. The main objective of such training is to stay focused all the way to the end: start strong, finish stronger. We ended the class with a few sparring sessions–the Kyokushin way to say “Hello” to old buddies and to meet new ones.

The next day brought a variety of classes: ido geko, katas, bo/tonfa, kumite, self-defence, and of course water training. That’s where we mastered some of the best techniques of the secret ancient style Scoopikai. Thanks for sharing, Sensei Terry.

Sunday was my D-day–30 man kumite. This kind of test is not as much for your fighting skills as it is for your character, your spirit and your inner core. Sooner or later you get to the point when your body is utterly exhausted and can’t take it anymore. Would you stop and live with the thought that you did well enough, or would you find a way to carry on? The highlight of the day for me was Sempai Neil’s 20 man kumite. At the age of 56 he finished them all. Way to go, Sempai!

After my last fight I could finally take a deep breath. But my troubles were far from over. I had to face yet another challenge–stage fright. As a Dan candidate I was required to participate at the Kyokushin’s Got Talent concert. I loved last year’s performance, but it’s one thing to enjoy the show, and another to be a part of it. At the end I just had to steady my shaking knees, ignore the goose bumps on my skin and follow the camp’s motto: Just say OSU and do it. And I’m glad I did. I’d never imagined it would be so much fun. The fact that I had no clue what I was doing made our skit even more hilarious. I’d like to say many thanks to all the Dan candidates for being great teammates, especially to Sempai Ryan for putting it together. Overall, the concert was a huge success. I’m sure the phrases like “I want more tonfa!” and “Sinsay, I wanna be Sosai!” are going to live for many years to come.

In conclusion, I’d like to express my gratitude to Shihans Stuart and Don–you are the heart and soul of this organization. Many thanks to all the Senseis and Sempais and to all the instructors who helped to make this camp another great success. I’m deeply grateful to my first Canadian instructor Shihan Les Banas–I will never forget your lessons. And finally I want to bow to Sensei Tats and to say: Arigato gozai mashita! Your hard work and perseverance are a great source of inspiration to me.

Many thanks to all the good people of the Kyokushin family who stood by my side in training and fighting. Your support made it less difficult.

 

Yours in Kyokushin,

Alex Kleschelsky.

Summer Camp is an event to look forward to every year. It has all the great training and instruction that you could ask for, but with a great fun element added that always makes it a pleasure to attend. This year proved no different, with lots of different classes being offered.

Summer camp started off with a bang, the spirit training of 1000 punches and 1000 kicks to get everyone’s spirit up, preparing us for the rest of the camp, followed training by an excellent kumite class. We were then given time to unwind, play some guitar and enjoy ourselves. The next morning’s training started at 6AM sharp with a run and ido geiko, the training sessions every couple of hours after. The weather held this year, giving us nice sunny days to train under, which made the secret scoopy-kai water training even more enjoyable! The Saturday evening brought us back the surprise midnight training where many, (including myself) learned that you should always sleep in gi pants!

Sunday came, and with it the dan candidate fights. This time I found myself on the side being tested, which gives a very different feel. The fights went well, and all of the Dan candidates were successful, achieving their dan upgrade! Many congratulations to Sempai Adrian, Sempai Ryan, Sensei Irek and Sensei Alex! This was followed by the second year of the Kyokushin’s “Got Talent” show, which showed some amazing abilities, as well as some skits that made me laugh hard enough that it hurt!

Thank you to everyone who participated in the camp, and special thanks to those who helped organize and run the event.

Osu!

Mark Berg

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