Iceland Gasshuku and Grading

Before I left London for Iceland, one of the Icelandic student's that is currently training in London with me, said that the snow was knee deep. I said yes sure thinking he was joking, as I touched down in Reykjavik, there it was, as far as the eye could see!

It was just like the Christmas's I had when I was a child, only the temperature was quite different, at minus 14C, this is part and parcel of the trip that makes it more exciting. I was greeted by one of the student's and quickly rushed to the hotel, to register and put on my karate dogi, then straight to the dojo, where the students were waiting.

As Technical Adviser to Iceland, it is my job to oversee Black Belt examinations, there were people testing from Shodan to Yondan, so most of the course was geared towards the IOGKF grading syllabus. I counted about 75 attendees including the children.

I'm please to report that the pass rate was 100%, well done to all participants I look forward to seeing you all in 2005.

Iceland is a place where you can chill out, having said that, the nightlife is as good as anywhere in the world. The food is excellent with lots of tasty fresh fish being obviously available. Sport is very high on their curriculum and their sports facilities are first class, and you will have to go along way to find better.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank, the Chief Instructor Gretar Orn Halldorsson and the committee of the KFR, for their support over the past 15 years.

Photos of the course can be found at Finnur Thorgeirsson's site


Sensei George Andrews

Home | Articles | Archive List