Paradise Gasshuku, Koh Samui 2013

This was the 7th Gasshuku in Koh – Samui, it is the ideal place for those people that live in cold climates, it is a chance to train hard and enjoy the warm Sun, Sea and Beaches with a Night life second to none, and guaranteed temperatures of over 33°C.

The training was for 7 days with 5 hours a day, 10 – 12.30 and 5 – 7.30pm.  This gave students the opportunity to compromise and have time in the afternoon and the evening with their familys.

Morning training focused on endurance and resilience, with a diversity of impact work and resistance, the temperature in the Dojo would reach 32 – 34°C so water breaks were frequent. After training had finished everyone was invited to a healthy fruit lunch which consisted of Papaya Fruit, Yellow Watermelon, Dragon Fruit and Sweet Pineapple and ice cool water, this helped replenish those essential vitamins and minerals that the body uses during training in a hot climate.

To enhance understanding about the body, there were readings on Physiology, Anatomy, Nutrition, Injury Prevention and History of Karate – Do.

Evening training focused on technical detail in the Goju Ryu curriculum, and one to one in Kata from Gekisai – Suparinpei, Sanchin, Sanchin Kotai and Tensho.  People were saying that they lost 5 Kilo over the week.

But it was not all about Karate – Do, in the evening Koh Samui comes alive with many shops and small markets and Bars and Restaurants as far as the eye can see. Sea food caught that day is in abundance, which includes Tiger Prawns, Squid, Spider Crabs, Oysters, Lobster, Mussels and Cockles all cooked on a BBQ, and of course the meat, BBQ Spareribs, Steaks and Chicken and many different Curry’s.

That why I call it The Paradise Gasshuku, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people and staff for making this event a success and look forward to 2014 in Koh – Samui.

George Andrews