AKKA National Camp

[blackdog]

Osu everyone,

I have been a bit quiet here lately (me quiet???), lots going on, personally, business wise, and of course karate wise.

Amongst other things, the AKKA national camp in sunny Surfers Paradise, Queensland Australia was a highlight last weekend.

120+ people attended, Including Hanshi John Taylor & Shihan-cho Gary Viccars. We were thoroughly spoiled with the amount of instructor talent with no less than 5 Shihans attending, and around 35-40 dan grades.

As usual, the camp started with a get together at the Surf club on Friday night meeting old freinds and new. A very strong contingent was there from the Victorian branch, and also the Queensland branch. NSW still had quite a few representatives, despite the fact that the camp happened right in the middle of a busy NSW schedule of tournaments and other events.

Up at 5 on Saturday to see the sunrise training on the Gold Coast beach, no running (thank you thank you thank you )

After breakfast we had another session on the (very rough) tennis court, ura on rough concrete, that tests your committment to the technique!

We later broke up into grade groups for kata training.

Saturday night was dinner at the camp or the Surf Club (for some of us who felt they needed a quiet ale with dinner ) As usual, most of us were far too tired to last long on the Saturday night, but of course there is always the few "stayers" who risk a tough morning session on Sunday and who ventured out to check out the nightlife....

I have NO idea how they do it.....

Sunday started at 5 again for the pre breakfast beach session, and after breakfast we were in grade groups again for fighting drills and self defense.

Of course the last session of the day was kumite, which was pretty spirited considering how tired everyone was (i know i was anyway)

Overall i came away much more knowledgable and mostly unscathed (sores on the feet from the tennis court and a nice corked thigh from kumite with Sensei Ian from NZ)

Thank You to the organisers (mostly Shihan Tony Bowden) and to all the people i trained with.

Fantastic weekend, i will be back next year!

Bren