For three days on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday preceeding the August Bank Holiday weekend, Shiranamikai held its first beach gasshuku (or ‘Shelanamikai’ as it became affectionately known) at Camber Sands, Sussex.
At the start of each session we had a gentle jog along the beach to help us warm up. Thursday and Friday we had the place pretty much to ourselves but on Saturday morning, the amazing weather brought everybody flocking to the beach. Fortunately the coastline at Camber is vast and has a gentle incline so there was still plenty of space to train on one of the many banks of sand closer to the sea. Nobody kicked sand in our faces. But they didn’t need to anyway as we seemed quite adept at doing it to ourselves. (Have you ever tried doing mae geri on a sandy beach?)
We had a total of four chilled training sessions, during which we practised Heians Shodan, Nidan and Godan, Kanku Dai, Empi and Sochin. The evenings too were enjoyable with a great bunch; back at the cottage, dinner included delicious takoyaki, courtesy of Sonoko and Miyuki and a tasty barbecue with lots of fruit and veg. With Camber being just over two-hours’ drive from London, we’ll definitely be doing it again next year!
Once training had finished on Saturday, there was just enough time for a splash around in the sea before a quick change, bite to eat, and shooting back to Swiss Cottage for our afternoon session.
Back at the dojo, it was the last* club session of the year for Sonoko, Anju and Yuma until they return next summer. We all wish them our very best and hope that they enjoy training in Japan.
*Nearly the last as they were back on Sunday morning… then trained on Monday evening too! See you soon, ladies!
This year during summer camp we looked at Kihon kata, Heians Nidan through to Godan, Jion, Empi, Unsu, Nijushiho and Sochin. Team exercises helped students explore the meaning of each sequence.
There were some very creative interpretations and entertaining demonstrations (!) but everybody worked well together to show their understanding of the kata bunkai.
After our final session on Friday it was off for some well-deserved sushi – a fitting end to the week’s training.
To those who attended each day, well done, you get a certificate for your efforts. Two students received merit for also training Tuesday and Wednesday evening, while three picked up distinction for outstanding attendance by coming Saturday and Sunday too – that’s every possible Shiranamikai lesson over the whole week!
After training on Saturday, we were out to eat again for Sonoko, Anju and Yuma’s farewell dinner!
Put the first week of August in your diary for next year: Monday 1st-Friday 5th August 2016.
We had a long but rewarding day at the JKA England 2015 National Championship. Well done to everybody who competed!
Shiranamikai results as follows:
Kentaro Silver in Kata and Silver in Kumite
Marika Bronze in Kumite
Keeley Bronze in Kumite
Oliver Gold in Kata and Gold in Kumite
Shion Gold in Kumite
Yuma Gold in Kata and Silver in Kumite
Tara Bronze in Kata and Bronze in Kumite
Anju Gold in Kata and Silver in Kumite
Alex Bronze in Kumite
Shiranami Team B (Kentaro, Yuma & Shion) Bronze in Kata
A fantastic result of 15 medals!
And what better way to celebrate than a picnic after training this Saturday! (Beats a Saturday night burger at McDonalds, Cobham services on the M25.)
Incredibly proud of everybody who competed – well done guys, all your hard work and extra training paid off!
This was a very good hour-and-a-half lesson from Ohta Sensei prior to our club kyu grading. We were pleased to welcome Sensei Sarah and her students for their first grading – well done everybody, you trained really hard!
Congratulations to all who passed. Keep up the training and practise every day so that when the next grading comes around in September, you’ll be ready.
Our instructors for the weekend were Imamura Tomio 7th Dan and Shiina Mai 3rd Dan from the JKA Honbu, Omura Fujikiyu 7th Dan from JKA Thailand, and JKA England’s Ohta Yoshinobu 7th Dan. This year also saw instructors from JKA England’s technical committee teach for the first time at one of our international courses.
Training was organised slightly differently this time; basics and kumite was still in grade groups but after the halfway break, 3rd Kyu and above were able to choose which of the selected katas they wished to practise on each day. Beginners up to 4th kyu remained in their own group for Heian and Tekki Shodan katas.
Sensei Imamura and Sensei Omura have visited England before to teach, and their lessons this time were superb as expected. In contrast, Shiina Sensei was visiting the UK for the first time so there was much anticipation.
Her kumite drills reinforced the fact that there is no such thing as ‘basic’ kumite. Her timing changes kept everyone on their toes and her speed, power and technique really impressed. She finished off her session with touch-reaction training. It was clear how everybody, whilst trying their best, was enjoying it, making for a great atmosphere!
Training on the last day culminated with Ohta Sensei calling each kata in turn giving brown and black belts an opportunity to perform their favourite kata of the weekend in front of all present for final pointers and corrections.
On the Sunday there was a dan grading and congratulations go to Sonoko on passing her Shodan!
It wouldn’t feel like a proper gasshuku without a club side trip! This time we visited the Bluebell Railway, travelled on a steam train and then on to a local pub for a hearty dinner.
The next JKA England gasshuku runs from 11-13th September with Senseis Imura 7th Dan from Tokyo and Sawada 7th Dan from Belgium and Ohta Sensei from England.
It was great fun on Easter Saturday!
We had our regular afternoon training session with lots of basics and combos, finishing with kata.
Afterwards it was time for the chocolate Easter egg and spoon races: a regular egg and spoon race first as a warm-up, followed by (in the style of) crabs, Popeye, wheelbarrow and Haribos balanced on heads.
Well done to each of the winning teams – hope you enjoy eating your prizes!
Remember that training continues throughout the Easter break so if you are off from school, this is a good opportunity to get some eggstra training!
Kumite was based around kaishi ippon which is new on the syllabus for students attempting 3rd and 2nd kyu. Having the attacker ‘win’ may seem at odds with the concept of karate being an effective defence, but it is perhaps best seen as an important exercise in preparing for jiyu kumite by allowing both sides to attack and defend with each step. It also highlights one’s ability to release tension in order to react quickly to the next technique.
Well done to all those who graded. It’s great to see everybody in the club developing their karate. Keep up the good work!
Wishing all of our friends in karate, a Very Happy Christmas and New Year! From Everyone at Shiranamikai!
SEASONAL TRAINING SCHEDULE:
Tuesday 16th December, 6.30pm
Regular Training
@O2 Centre, Finchley Road
Wednesday 17th December, 7pm
Regular Training
@Harrow School Sports Centre
Saturday 20th December, 4pm
Keiko Osame, Last (regular) Training of the Year followed by Club Christmas Dinner
@Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Sunday 21st December, 10am
FREE Training
An early Christmas present to you all!
@Stanmore Dojo
Sunday 28th December, 10am
Open Dojo – Mid-Break Training.
Feeling stuffed after that stuffing? Come along and have a little exercise at (nearly) your own pace. Everybody welcome!
@Stanmore Dojo
Saturday 3rd January, 4pm
Keiko Hajime, First Training of the New Year
Time to shift that Christmas pudding!
@Swiss Cottage Leisure Centre
Regular club training times and locations can be found here…
Shiranamikai members enjoyed another good mental and physical workout with Ohta Sensei, Chief Instructor of JKA England, when he visited our O2 dojo in December. The knife-hand block, turning sequences were especially challenging!
During the grading, all the extra practise that students had put in after class and at home was clear to see, which in turn, brought some positive feedback afterwards! Well done!
As we approach the end of the club year, try to make the most of the remaining training opportunities and if you are going away, keep up the practise every day during the break.
Our seasonal training schedule can be found here…