OTGKA Gasshuku Winchester August 2004 Photos

Rain, rain and more rain, but it didn't dampen the spirits of the forty students that attended the course at King Alfred College in historic Winchester.

The training started at 9.00am with Sensei George who took the Dan Grades for Sanchin and Tensho Kata, and the relevant training methodologies that go hand in hand with these kata. Training for all began at 10.00am and was split in to 4 groups but not before the traditional IOGKF Junbi - Undo, each Instructor had their set agenda so as to maximise the benefit for all concerned.

Sensei George continued with the Dan Grades, going deeper into Tensho kata breaking movements down to ensure that everyone was able to do each movement to his satisfaction before going through the whole kata.
The following instructors took the remaining three groups. Sensei Linda Marchant began by taking the brown belts through kicking techniques, combinations, and kata. Sensei Andy Barker instructed the blue and green Belts in Chi-ishi, Kakie and pad work. Whilst Sensei Dan Russell took the White, Yellow and Orange Belts for Yoga and ground work. (Sensei Dan has studied Brazilian Jiu-jitsu for a number of years) All the instructors rotated around the groups teaching the same subject but gearing it to the ability of that group. With such an array of subjects, everyone was enjoying and benefiting from their training.

After the training had finished Sensei Simon Budden took some of the OTGKA members on a tour of Winchester. This took in the Cathedral built in the eleventh century, and the Great Hall that has for 600 years housed the mysterious Round Table.

On Saturday evening the sun started to shine with a light breeze, which was just right for a BBQ. Nigel Collins our resident Chef, attempted to feed 40 hungry mouths, to the sound of Tamla Motown, what an evening. The proprietors of the campsite at Folly Farm, Mr and Mrs Pickup were superb hosts as usual. This year they erected a marquee for us to cook in should the weather be inclement. It gave me great pleasure to look around and see people chatting, making new friends and having a great time, I counted thirteen tents, it was good that so many chose to camp and make this a special gasshuku.

I awoke to the sound of raindrops hitting canvas but it didn't last long and by the time people had dragged themselves out of their sleeping bags to the breakfast tent it had stopped.

The format for Sunday's training was similar but for the last session everyone joined together and were treated to a traditional gasshuku finish of basics, plenty of Mae Geri Jodan and Gedan Barai in Shiko Dachi.

The consensus for next year's Gasshuku is to camp at the same site because it's economical, with good facilities and one can bring the whole family and have a good time.

Another successful venture

George Andrews

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