Iceland

I first visited Iceland as Sensei George's assistant in 1989 until about 1992, when Reykjavik Karate Club made the transition to IOGKF Goju-Ryu and Sensei George was inaugurated as their Technical Advisor. Whilst Sensei George has continues to teach there ever since I have not been back. Therefore, it was wonderful to receive an invitation from the women of Reykjavik to lead another women's course over the weekend of the 8-10th October.

Upon arrival at Keflavik airport late Thursday night and driving to Reykjavik, I noticed a lot of changes had been made in Iceland, from the expansion of the airport to the additional sports facilities and even modernisation of the Blue Lagoon. I was also treated to a marvellous trip on the Friday called the "The Golden Circle" which incorporated travelling in an enormous 4x4 'Big Foot' car and visiting Geysers, a fabulous waterfall, an incredible glacier and off roading down a river road!

The weekend's training commenced on Friday night with the senior grade children for kata and fun, then the women's course commenced for a thorough 2.5 hour session incorporating a traditional start to any IOGKF course, basics, moving combinations & some self defence techniques. It was great to see familiar Icelandic faces and some new non Goju-ryu ones over the course of the whole weekend and of course there was always the great opportunity to catch up whilst soaking in the outside hot-pool!

On Saturday we concentrated on development of moving basics, ippon kumite, sanchin and kata and then a few of us soaked away all the stiffness of training at the wonderful Blue Lagoon after which we got together for a sayonara dinner as well as celebrating Maroulla's birthday!

I could not believe it was Sunday already and on this day as the ladies from the local Shotokan Club joined us, the focus of the training was on moving in different stances, tai sabaki, kicking, padwork and some breakout techniques taken from the kata bunkai and then finishing in the very traditional way.

It was a very action packed weekend, for which I would like to thank Bryndis and Heida for their great organisation and company. I very much look forward to seeing everyone again at the next women's course on the 18-20th February 2005.

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