Training in Lebork and Wicko, Poland

After arriving at Gdansk Airport I was met by Sensei Marian Czylkowski who is the Senior Instructor of Lebork and Wicko, accompanied Andrzej Markowski, we then made our way to Leba where I would stay for the duration of the trip, it is situated North of Poland close to the Sea with a lovely Sandy Beach, and in summer it is bustling with holiday makers.

The training started on Friday evening Sensei Marian requested open hand techniques with combinations, the class seemed to be enjoying the array of discipline being shown, on Saturday the theme was Kakei, Kata and Bunkai the day seemed to go so fast, on Sunday was group training I concentrated on corrective training in Kata with each group.

On Saturday evening I was invited by the Mayor of Wicko MA Dariusz Waleskiewicz to give a lecture to the Children and Parents of Wicko and Lebork on history of my Karate time and experience which ended with questions and answers, to my surprise the Mayor of Lebork and his wife also came to give their support.

After the weekend training finished, Sensei Marian had one to one training with me on Kata of which he was very appreciative and said he would like more of the same on my next visit. It is said that if you bump into a “Kominiarz” Chimney Sweep you will have good fortune, but first you must find a women with glasses, this is the second time I have seen a “Kominiarz” however, I’m still waiting for the good futune.

But it was not all about Karate–Do; I was privileged to be asked to lunch with the Mayor of Wicko which was quite an honour, and to my surprise I went Sea fishing and the Gods seemed to be kind to us because the Sun was shining however, I did not catch a fish but it was wonderful to be on the Sea so calm on such a beautiful day.

I also had the opportunity to visit the Amber Museum which is housed in Gdansk’s medieval Fore-gate building (once home to the Prison Tower and Torture Chamber), this multi-story exhibit delves extensively into the history of Baltic Amber. The impressive collection of “inclusions” (when bugs or plants are caught inside the amber) is intriguing to look at. Before long it was time to pack my suitcase and heard for the airport. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Mayor of Wicko MA Dariusz Waleskiewicz for his time and effort in giving an opportunity for the families of Lebork and Wicko to an insight to Okinawa Goju Ryu Karate–Do.

George Andrews