Report of the
BASKA KARATE SUMMER CAMP 2001
TENBY SOUTH WALES
Tenby leisure centre was the venue for the annual British All Styles Karate (BASKA) Summer Camp. This event is the most prestigious event in the BASKA calendar and is looked forward to by karate ka ranging from beginner to 3rd Dan, young and old, male and female alike, it is where you meet your old friends and make new. The event was organised by Shihan Greg Wallace 7th Dan BASKA and his wife Maggie,
who I hasten to add, did a fine job on the end of course barbecue! She is already planning next years
bash. Maggie I think we will have a pig roast instead, less trouble!
Anyway back to the course, over 50 students from the tender age of four to seasoned karate ka of fifty-five took part.
The daily routine started at 7am and saw all students assembled for the early morning run. This turned out to be a closely fought affair with two main groups in contention, Shadow Warriors and West Wales Wado-Ryu - sorry West Wales, the Warriors had you beat, even with team tactics the Warriors came out on top.
Following the run everyone returned to Tenby Leisure Centre for the cool down stretch and some light sparring. Then it was off for a well-earned breakfast and rest.
All were back to the centre for 09.30 when the register was called. Every one listening to see if any one was missing, (left on roadside in heap) and if there was, what would be the penalty imposed on that team (every one was present, thankfully.) Shihan Greg Wallace 7th Dan then took the warm up - he woke everyone up in a way that only Shihan can.
Next on to basics and advanced combinations - again in a way you think you know what’s coming next, but what comes next is not what you were expecting, hence the learning curve. After nearly 3 hours of Shihan’s techniques every one was ready for a much-needed dinner and rest break. Some of the students and Sensei’s were to be found stretched out on benches and mats trying to get some much needed shuteye and trying to recharge their batteries ready for the afternoon’s training.
After lunch all karate ka were split into mixed ability groups, each group moving round from one BASKA senior instructor to the other - each instructor specialising in a particular aspect of the BASKA syllabus. Sensei Elan Adams 5th Dan demonstrated free fighting and competition techniques (some of which he used when he was winning!! at competition). Next it was Raja Badhwal 4th Dan, kick boxing was his speciality and it was good to see traditional karate ka doing bag and pad work to good effect, of course it was good to see Raja’s Shadow Warriors moving over the pads & shields like a rash.
Moving on it was time for Graham Thomas 4th Dan to instruct the groups in turn - where he taught Kata (forms) and Bunkai (application) of the Wado Ryu syllabus. Now on to the last but not least instructor Peter Ashby 4th Dan demonstrated Shotokan kata (forms). This was the format for most days, but Thursday was Black Belt grading day, this is where it all comes together, the time, the effort, the constant practise, no more so than for two of our local boys Martin Morgan of Narberth & Andrew Smith of Pembroke both Sensei Thomas’s students at the Pembroke Dock Dojo, also were David “Gethin” Williams and Jamie Willis both of the Newcastle Emlyn Club who are coached by Sensei Wayne Hoyland 3rd Dan.
They presented them selves to the BASKA grading technical panel chaired by Shihan Greg Wallace 7th Dan where they battled through their grading syllabus carrying out basics (single movements) combinations (series of movements) Kata (forms/patterns) blocks and counters as instructed by the committee, after all of this - next came Kumite (sparring) where they had to spar with all the candidates attempting black belt.
After over an hour and a half of total concentration and dedication I could tell by their faces they were exhausted and had given their all – they were just waiting for command “yame” (stop) to be called. After their grading concluded they bowed to the panel and left the Dojo not knowing if they had passed or failed, and would not know until the presentations on Friday afternoon. Now it was time for the technical panel to discuss each individual’s performance and decide whether they were worthy of the coveted black belt and the title of
Shodan.
Friday morning was weapons training - this was under-taken by Sensei Gerry Coulter 5TH Dan, where he instructed every one in the application of the Bo (long stick) and tonfa (police night stick). Next year Gerry can we please have the Sai (used as a defence against the sword) and the nunchaku (rice flails made famous by the late Bruce Lee).
As usual Friday afternoon brings the end of the Summer Course and the Kumite & Kata competitions, which this year was a closely contested affair. Even after a long demanding and exhausting week, every one took part in the true sprit of karate do, and there were quite a few upsets in the kumite and kata categories. Click here to see the complete results page.
Check out the
competition photos.
At the end of the competition came the presentations by Shihan Wallace:
- Course Attendance Certificate.
Everyone received a certificate for completing the course.
- Summer Course Winners:
Young Achiever - K Brickell,
Runner of the week - N Ibrahim
Junior Student of the week - D Hague & D Francis
Senior Student of the week - N Ibrahmi & G Badhwal
- Kumite and Kata Competition Awards
- Course Instructors Presentation.
Shihan Wallace presented the Summer course Senior Instructors with a Karate figurine for the their commitment to
BASKA.
- Black Belt Grading.
The following names were called:
Martin Morgan graded 1st Dan (SHODAN) Black Belt
Andy Smith graded 1st Dan (SHODAN) Black Belt
David “Gethin” Williams graded 1st Dan (SHODAN) Black Belt
Jamie Willis graded 1st Dan (SHODAN) Black Belt
- Presentation to Shihan Wallace.
Then came a presentation, to Shihan Wallace, of a limited edition portrait of Tenby Harbour. This presentation was given by all the students as a way of thanking Shihan for all he has done for promoting Karate, and for the enjoyment the BASKA summer camp brought to many people, also as a welcome back to
Tenby.
- Special Presentation.
The last presentation came as a surprise to two long standing Baska Senior Karate instructors:
Raja Badhwal 4th Dan Kempo was promoted to 5TH Dan (GODAN)
Graham Thomas 4th Dan of West Wales Wado-Ryu was Promoted to 5TH Dan (GODAN).
And Finally ...
A special thank you must go to the Tenby leisure staff Carol, Mark, Sue, and Mark.
Because of the success of this year’s course, next years course has been confirmed and will take place from the 27th July to the 3RD August 2002 at
Tenby.
Next years summer camp promises to be even better with the possible inclusion of competition days.
A possible paint ball and a go-kart championship will take place on non-karate training days.
It goes without saying Tenby has some of the best attractions and facilities in the UK. So book early, contact Shihan Greg Wallace for details.
Pembroke Dock Dojo: Sensei Graham L Thomas 5th Dan 01646-684716
Secretary Nigel Dyne 01646-684651
Tenby Dojo:
Sensei Tony D’Arcy 01834-844169
Newcastle Emlyn Dojo: Sensei Wayne Hoyland 3rd Dan 07979961076
Sensei Aled Williams 07967717675
Click here to go to the Summer Course Photos