Mini Gasshuku in San Diego, California

I was invited to conduct a Gasshuku by Kevin and Mika Duff, who stayed and trained in the London Honbu Dojo for 18 months. I was happy to travel to the states at this time of year because the temperature was 25°C with beautiful blue skies.

I arrived at night and was met by Kevin and Mika; we made our way to the hotel where I was staying, a very comfortable place called Radisson Hotel San Diego – Rancho Bernardo, with Swimming Pool and Hot Spa.

On Thursday I gave private training at Sensei Steve Daz Dojo for an hour or so and on Friday evening I started teaching to a very enthusiastic group of people, on Saturday I met the Children of the Dojo and trained them for an hour, and they enjoyed every minute of the training, look forward to seeing them on Sunday.

With the senior on Saturday I tried to give as much information as I could, they seemed to absorb the training quite well.  On Sunday Kata, Basics, Pad work, Kakie and readings on subjects like Nutrition, Prevention, Street Awareness and History, all facilitated by Mika, so thank you for your input

I was very happy to see Sensei Gene Ville 7th Dan IOGKF, who is the Chief Instructor of the U.S.A. and Sensei Steve Daz 5th Dan IOGKF, Dojo director.

But it was not all about Karate – Do, one of my old students that trained and lived in the Marble Factory.  Sensei Miko Peled 6th Dan invited me to brunch in the Hotel Del Coronado on the beach where the film “Some like It Hot” starring Marilyn Monroe, stayed and many famous Hollywood stars. 

Next day I received a phone call and to my surprise, Sensei Paul Enfield 6th Dan who trained with me in England, invited me and Kevin to lunch; it was wonderful to meet Sensei Paul’s wife Michelle who also trains in Karate, we had a great time together.

As much as I love my England, I was happy to be in Sunny California however, before long it was time to head for the airport.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for making the trip a success, and look forward to February 2014, if the gods will.

George Andrews