summer camp 2013 updates

Summer camp 2013, the year of the SUPER DAN CANDIDATES.

As with many years past the participation, energy and camaraderie at this years summer camp was inspiring. There was a vast amount of knowledge pass around both during and outside the scheduled trainings. One of my favorite parts of summer camp is sitting around in a circle with a mix of people swapping stories and experiences. I could sit for hours listening to the stories of the shihans and senseis. One piece of advice I would like to pass on... There is probably equal amounts of knowledge and experienced passed on through the casual conversation as there is during formal training the key is to keep your ears and minds open to capture it. The cardio kick boxing class was an entertaining event. It was quite apparent that many of us lacked a certain rhythmic skill and others were bopping along to the music as if they had been doing it for years. No matter the level of skill it appeared everyone was having fun.Some may have noticed that the dan candidates had a special training. The 3 hour kata training in the rain was a very humbling and eye opening experience. I am very grateful to sensei Brad and shihan for the wisdom and experience they shared with us that day. It is something I will never forget. The change over from the post dinner dance to a talent show had some people concerned but it went extremely well, There were many great acts, apparently Kyokushin does have talent… Everything from skits to singing, and poetry reading… (I didn’t mean to make that rhyme) it was entertaining and everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves. The Monday morning training was met with grunts a groans from sore and aching bodies but in true Kyokushin spirit everyone pressed on and worked hard. At the end of the training Shihan's camera said it best… "Battery Exhausted" and so came to an end another wonderful summer camp.

Summer camp this year was more of a let down than a relief. A let down to myself. I came away feeling inadequate and undeserving. A journey that started over two years ago, and was full of obstacles. Taking on this task would be a huge undertaking. But when you are let known that you need to step up, all you can say is OSU! Friday night training was a good start to the excellent variety of instruction that was to follow. The morning run this year was a huge difference from the previous year, which was only 8 months after my heart surgery. And I could only run about 50 yds.at a time before having to stop. The weather this year was mostly overcast with long periods of rain, which was a nice change from the scorching heat that we usually get. This also made it nicer for the dan candidates who had to do their fighting for their belts. The most memorable part of camp for me was the dan candidates training out in the the rain with the rest of the the camp attendees, and then at the end of regular training, stayed to work on tekki san. Each candidate took their turn to get the kata and the count down properly. Sensei Brad helped to tweek and correct candidates and their technique. And also to give us inspiration on how it should feel to be an instructor and the goal of that instructor. He said that everyone would think that we were being punished, but in fact, it was valuable training that the others wish they had. Nerves for the fighting portion of the grading had finally escalated, and having to be the last to fight made it even more nerve racking. Everyone fought well, some reaching their goals and others still doing their best. The fights were tough and showed the true spirit of Kyokushin karate. And at the end of the long journey the dan candidates received their belts along with words of wisdom and insight each needed to continue their journey. This year saw the addition or more like the reinstatement of an old tradition, the talent(skit) show. The acts were all very good, and with any talent competition, some have talent and some think they have talent. I'm sure that this will be reinstated as a regular event. The long road to this years camp was a long one, but with all the help that I received from my sensei's, I managed to get through and attain my goal, and the start of a new journey.

Summer Camp 2013

Looking back on the last 8 months or so, I began to look back even further over the last week since Summer Camp and my promotion to Sandan. I remember to this day my first steps into the Langley Dojo. Blue sweat pants and white t-shirt. Sensei Leo (Nidan at the time) and Sensei Dean (1st kyu at the time) running the club and me thinking......."What the heck am I doing????" A life moment! I'll come back to this. Flash forward almost 20 years and the learning has never stopped. As I said in my Winter Camp article, this grading feels different. Boy was that an understatement. A month before my practical test an old chronic injury raised it's head and I put my back out. I recovered enough to carry on with my practical. During testing on June 2nd, 2013, I received a call from my brother that my Mom had passed away. The week after I almost called Shihan Stuart to withdraw from this year's testing. With the full support of my family they encouraged me to continue. I was working on the things I needed to and was feeling good. June 30th the back attacked again. I told no one. I will grunt this through. Many trips to the Chiropractor, Massage Therapist, Acupuncture and DDPYoga (Thanks to Sensei Ralph Burd from Australia). We made our way to Summer Camp. Upon arrival we met old friends and new ones. I tried my best to keep my students Jim and Chris, who were testing for their Shodan, calm and give the best advice I could. Training went fairly well but my back was never far from my mind. It felt ok but not great. As we worked through the various training sessions I was feeling looser and better. The Dan Candidates had a special training session that started early in the rain. We trained Tekki San and Tekki Ichi through the entire session. The rest of the camp was dismissed. Not us. The rain fell harder. We trained harder. We kept training until the horn went for the start of the next session. Then the rain really started. I felt incredible as this group of people supported each other. We were given the option to go rest if we wanted to, but that would also mean we would have to withdraw. No one moved. We just trained harder. After 2 1/2 hours of training we finished. Sensei Brad during this time told us about life moments and that this was one. Was he ever right. We all share a special bond during a special time. I'll never forget that moment. Just like I'll never forget that first day of Kyokushin. That is all I will share of the inspiring words that Sensei Brad shared with us. Let me just say this, if you ever get to train personally with Sensei Brad make sure you bring your sharpest mind and dullest pencil. Sensei Brad, on a personal note, Thank-you. Osu. The fighting came up on Sunday afternoon. I was feeling good my back was feeling good. I kept loose and stretched out as I watched and cheered on my fellow Candidates. The fights were inspiring. Now it was the Sandan Applicants turn. I took my spot. I went through my first 2 fights. I felt pretty good. I was stopped during my third fight. I took my spot on the side and watched Sensei Curtis and Sensei Greg carry on with their fights. Very inspiring. All the Candidates lined up and all started receiving their new Dan grades. I was excited for all but was brought to tears when my students Chris Gowen and Jim Lindsay received theirs. I managed to get a grip (thanks Julie!) by the time Shihan Stuart reached me. He had some very kind words for me. As I turned around I saw my family who has supported me whenever karate comes knocking. Whether it's tournaments or camps throughout BC and Alberta or even a trip to Japan, they have been there to support me. I would never have made it to this day without them. As I turned back to face Shihan the old maxim came back to mind. Get knocked down 8, get up 9. I would like to thank everyone individually for their help but I wouldn't want to miss anyone. So let me put it this way; to all the instructors that I have trained under, all the kohai that I have had the honor and pleasure training with, to all the students who have given me the honor of teaching them I have learned more from all of you than you'll ever know. The belt I wear has the marks of all that I have trained with on it. Shihan Stuart and Shihan Don. Thank-you for everything.

Osu.

Reflecting on Summer Camp 2013 and Being a Dan Candidate

Sosai Mas Oyama wrote "For some people, the white-collar job, the little house in the suburbs, the family and the little happinesses suffice. But I believe a man should seek more challenging battles and should try to expand his visions and aspirations beyond this smug, conservative world". While a seemingly harsh statement I believe it is very applicable to the act of being a Kyokushin Karateka, and especially being a dan candidate. The majority of us participate in karate as a hobby, many a passion, not an occupation. The world around us, and our daily lives conspire to take time away from our training, our progress in karate and our enjoyment of it. Despite distractions, many Karateka continue and make the time for their training, thrive and grow. A few Karateka each year choose to make their lives even more complex by challenging for a black belt. The pursuit of my Nidan was a challenge. It was difficult. It required me to find and make time for the numerous requirements involved. Often this took me away from family, away from work, other leisure activities I enjoy and the ability to have down time. My peers outside of karate wonder in disbelief at the amount of time, physical and mental effort required of regular training alone. They are baffled by the increase above that required for the grading process. I think about Sosai's quote to "…seek more challenging battles…" and understand deeply what that means. I am thankful that the IKOK-C exists and gives us the opportunity to push our boundaries in many different ways, especially during the dan grading process. It is these aspects of Kyokushin Karate, and the difficulty of achieving a Shodan, or higher that make achieving a black belt special, real, and a true accomplishment. By choosing Kyokushin Karate, and pursuing our studies to Shodan and beyond, we elevate ourselves above the ordinary, we choose the more difficult path and along the way gain insight into our own self, and grow because of the experience.

Osu!

Osu,

2013 IKOK-C Summer camp was held at Ashton creek on Aug 2-5 and this was the final phase of my grading process for ni-dan. Before the World tournament in 2011, my goal as Karate-ka was very clear, "Competing in the World tournament". After achieving the goal, I lost next goal to aim. As Sensei Tats always says "fulfilling the Budo requires a practitioner a lifetime commitment", I decided to pursue a new goal to be ni-dan. After I submit my ni-dan application in January, I went to the Winter Camp for the written exam and the interview in March. Then I took the practical exam in June with Shihan Stuart. As I advanced every step, it made me think a lot of things in different angle and started to know more about the organization. For this Summer Camp, I thought I prepared enough for it but you don't know what's going to happen in the event like this. It is the same as tournament fighting. I just tried to do my best in every training session. But it was not easy to maintain the "best" when you don't know when the training would end or how many times you have to do the technique/Kata. It was very painful and meaningful learning experience for me when we were doing "Tekki 3" for hours. It was very tough when I was thinking about how long we have to do this, but as soon as I stop thinking about it and focus on what I was doing at the time, I realized that this was the true Karate training. I think I grew up to better Karate-ka in this training. Thank you very much Shihan and Sensei Brad for this opportunity. In the last day, we had the Kumite. I did my best for what I had the day but there is always room for an improvement. I will keep train hard and try to do better on my 30-man in the future. I just want to say Thank you to everyone who fought me in my 20-man kumite. Without your support, this could never happen. At the end, we had the "Kyokushin’s Got Talent" show. Thanks to Sempai Neil for leading the group. I think it went very well and I hope this become new Dan candidate tradition! After I completed all the dan grading process, I would like to say thank you to Shihan Stuart, Shihan Don and IKOK-C for giving me such a great opportunity to learn and grow as Karate-ka. I also want to thank Sensei Tats for being my mentor and always guiding me to right direction, and for students from Nakamura dojo. Thank you very much for your support and it gave me an extra push towards the end. At the last, I am really proud of being part of the 2013 dan candidates. We went through and made it as a team. Thank you very much and we will never forget this great experience! I will continue training hard for my new goal to be "Sensei" and I would like to contribute to my dojo and the organization more than before.

Osu!

Summer Camp 2013

OSU,

This year Summer Camp 2013 was the culmination of a long year which revealed many experiences for me, most were refreshingly welcome and one disappointing beyond belief. After a long year of testing and preparing for Dan Grading to be injured shortly before Summer Camp seemed at the time to be devastating. In all, this was perhaps the smallest issue and lesson of the whole year. Summer Camp for the Dan Candidate at any level is of course a very different experience than most attending. I feel honoured and belonging not only to the Canadian Organization, my dojo and all my training partners but this year also to all the Dan Candidates of 2013 to whom I was honoured to be part of. Karate and Dan Grading is in many ways is more than an individual journey, not to underestimate the time and value placed on those spending time training with me, however the process and candidates left me with also with a close bond to those who tested this year. Perhaps the platform was set by Shihan on the written test, perhaps it was the small momentum token that Scott provided to all the Dan Candidates, maybe the talent skit that forced us to work together in a more social environment, or then (on my part, 'watching' ) the many hours of tekki san. Whatever the single memory it was perhaps more the process and the reality in the end that we were all in it together, all being measured together, all be it individually, that gave the sense of group purpose. I Congratulate all the successful candidates on an excellent grading, but then maybe caution that we all should be reminded of the words of Kancho at the Canadian's who said. " today's results will be tested tomorrow." In many ways this year I was mostly an 'observer', ( but then again some people may say "what's new ??" ) but the understanding of what it means to instruct and be aware of what we are trying to accomplish in instructing was drilled and drilled and drilled. A message to all and sundry who observed as well as the participants. In the end is was clear, " Kyokushin’s Got Talent"!

OSU!

Sumer camp started with the sun shining and Tent and campers being set up in the space available. Every year it seems there are more trailers then tents. 7pm Sharp the air horn blew and camp is officially open and training begins. Friday night was a combination of Kihon, Ido Geko and Fight training with the 2013 Dan Candidates under the close eye of everyone. Saturday morning run came faster than expected with the 6am start time followed by Kihon in the field. As the day went on and we the dan candidates prepped for our training with Shihan where we had us go through any of our short falls from grading. He showed us that he is our biggest supporter, yet holds everyone to a high standard. The more you travel the more you appreciate what we have here at home. With 2 fitness challenges on the weekend it wasn’t nearly as taxing as last year. Saturday the weather held for the most part as the rain loomed overhead keeping the temperature down to a more comfortable level. Sunday Morning the clouds opened and the rain fell for most of the morning. The 2.5 hours of kata in the pouring rain was much better than doing it in 32 degree heat. It’s amazing what the body can do when you have too. For some reason just as we finished our kata and joined the second fitness challenge the rain stopped and the sun came out. Guess the kata worked as a sun dance as opposed to a rain one. As per usual the fights on Sunday were taxing and a challenging but all did their best to succeed. Now the Talent show held some really good skits and single performances. Poor Neil was trying not to laugh during the Dan Candidate performance, which it would not have been the same without him. Monday morning came in quickly again with the final training session, clean up and good bye’s. However training was not complete until we walked Tekki sono san about 16 times as a class. Till next year.

Osu!

15 August 2013

My “Journey to Sandan” was successfully completed at Summer Camp of 2013 and began in 1988 at the Killarney Dojo, which was operated by Sensei Richard Hart and Sempai Sean Barry. They were my first introduction into the world that I have considered family for many years, the IKOK-C (Kyokushin-Canada). I have them and all my past and present Kohais, Sempais, Senseis Les Banas (now Shihan) and Tats Nakamura and of course Shihans Stuart Corrigal and Don Corrigal to thank and be fortunate to have trained with over 25 years who helped forge the Karate-ka that I am today. Every one of them has been instrumental in my journey to this point.

I remember my first grading and it was for blue belt at my first summer camp in Kelowna with Sensei Larry Robinson in 1988 when he asked who wanted to grade and I thought why not, I feel ready for this…without asking my Sensei (Richard Hart back in Vancouver). It was quite an experience overall…especially when I returned to the Killarney dojo and realized that there is an expected and rightly so respectful method to the Sempai/Kohai relationship that I did not fully comprehend at that time. Lets just say I became much more aware of it shortly thereafter.

I traveled to the 1989 International Asia Pacific Tournament in Hawaii in 1989 with members of my dojo as well as other dojos from Western Canada and met others in the IKO from all around the world. Friendships with some of them have been carried through to this day. We trained with Shihan Bobby Lowe 8th Dan and were very impressed with the level of knowledge and skill he presented to us in the limited time we had with him on our trip. He was extremely kind and approachable. He was happy to accompany us for some beverages and adventure after evening training at his dojo along with Sensei Glen (his head instructor).

After competing in a number of local tournaments where I became a better fighter I was successful, but realized however that more could be learned from not winning, because you then find out where you need improvement. There is always something to learn and improve upon not only in your skills and knowledge in Kyokushin but also for life in general.

I also tried my hand at the 3rd Canadian Kata Tournament 1991 in Richmond and at that time it was not my main focus. Fortunately I won my division, believing that it was in large part due to the amount of fighting we did in our dojo and the emphasis that Sensei Richard Hart had us put into the kata as though it was a fight. Everything in Kyokushin revolves around fighting without which there is no proof to oneself of their abilities from the results of their training. I have heard similar words spoken as recently as 2010 at the Banff Black Belt Conference from Kancho Matsui who stresses that all the training revolves around fighting. I truly believe and stress to my kohais when teaching the importance of the visualization of fighting in everything from kihon to kumite.

Over the years the dojos I trained at were passed from Sensei Richard Hart (Killarney Dojo) to Sensei Les Banas (now Shihan - Last Samurai Dojo in Richmond) and then to Sensei Tats Nakamura (VKK - Richmond East, Killarney and Vancouver Downtown Dojos) whom I am still training with presently. I respect them all very much for their level of knowledge, skill and intensity, hoping that I now represent their contributions to me in a respectable manner. I have been very fortunate to have trained and learnt from them.

Sensei Tats Nakamura has supported me for my Shodan grading in 2001, Nidan grading in 2009 and my Sandan grading in 2013. He manages to find the time and energy to support not only myself but he does so with all of his students by not only training and mentoring them, but also by being present at their endeavors from grading to tournaments. For that I and respect him very much as a true Sensei and man.

Stepping up to the International level of participation within the IKOK-C I started traveling as a coach and Judge with Sensei Tats Nakamura, Sempai Michi Nagase, Kris Erickson, Marc Berg and Tomomi Inoue to tournaments in Montreal 2011, New York 2011 & 2012, Osaka 2010 and Tokyo World Open 2011 with our students and have been very proud of their level of commitment and success. They have also been a very large part of my success in acquiring my Sandan through regular training and especially the Fighters classes where many other individuals have contributed. Training at the IKO Training Camp at Mt. Mitsumine in 2011 where I met more individuals from around the globe was also a great experience and one, which I would recommend to all.

I also wish to give a special recognition as everyone knows how difficult it is to continue the necessary training by way of time commitment, advice and support to make this happen requires a willing and understanding partner or spouse. In my case I am very fortunate to have Sempai Isabelle Guitard to work with me, guide and support me in this journey. She has much to offer in this organization. Thank you to all in the Kyokushin organization in Montreal for helping to make her what she is today as she has provided yet another perspective for me to learn from.

Now for the culmination of it after the Winter Camp with the Written & Interview portion of grading in March completed at the Technical grading in June and the Technical grading in June completed at Summer Camp (Dan candidates understand what I am talking about) and the Fighting portion at Summer Camp. The written portion changed in it’s scope and is of importance as it requires us to more broadly aware of the IKOK-C Organization in it’s purpose and expectations so that we can represent it more professionally. Well the final parts of the Technical grading for us was held at more than one time during the camp and I must say I feel pretty confident that there will be consistency among all the Dan Candidates performance in Tekki San after spending hours together standing in the rain on the field with Sensei Brad Gillespe going over it one at a time again and again until we had the consistency necessary as Sempais and Senseis to teach it correctly. Personally I appreciated training in the rain as it kept me from overheating...yeah, that’s what I kept telling myself. One must always look for the positive in every situation! The training at the camp was great again and I found that the rain actually had the effect of people spending more time together in small shelters in between training times (positive). We had numerous different options for training and the instructors were very good. The day of the fighting was the most anticipated both for the Dan Candidates as well as the spectators and was a powerful, humbling and cherished day for me. Thank you to all who participated in the fighting and allowed us to earn our belts after the fighting. You are also a part of my Sandan belt and always will be. Congratulations to all the Dan Candidates who shared in this journey and were successful. I am sure you have learnt more than you thought you would and that you will now contribute even more to the IKOK-C. We are stronger together.

There was quite a large group from the VKK dojos who showed and offered support to myself, Sempai Michi, Kris and Tomomi as we all tested this year for Sandan, Nidan, Shodan and Shodan respectively. Thank you all for attending and supporting us. I hope you have learnt new things, enjoyed yourselves and that you were inspired enough to return again to this great training camp of which just completed its 25th year at the same location.

The Sayonara Party was a welcome change and a return to the talent performances of which were done many years ago after the Canadian Tournament at the Sayanora Party. From the Magical host Chris Gowen to the amazing Super Dan Candidates with whom I had a great time thanks to the superior organizing skills of Neil Rowley and to the now traditional Kyokushun Bruises musical genius of Jason Inkster from Armstrong. This year was a huge success in my opinion and I hope we will continue the idea at times into the future. The food and organization of the venue would not be the same without Sensei Larry and his entourage. Thank you Sensei Larry and Sempai Kathy for your amazing dedication to this event for so many years.

On the last morning after training was completed and the grounds were cleaned up and most everyone had left the camp, Sempai Isabelle asked if we could just sit in the training field and so we sat and we reflected. She said to me that this is a special place and she feels it. I agreed and said to her that there has been 25 years of sweat and blood from thousands of Karate-ka left in this field and which gives it a spiritual significance. She has only been to 3 of these camps and felt its presence. This should be the case for every location in which we train, as they are all a part of us now.

To everyone I have trained with, thank you. I will respectfully wear my new belt as Sandan, which carries something from every one of you.

Osu no seichin,