SKWHKA National Training Camp

Friday the 11th April saw most of the senior Shorinjiryu members turn up ready for an exciting weekend of catch up, making new friends, refreshing friendships, rekindling old acquaintances and ready for the training. After checking into the very scenic and comfortable Chapel Hill camp, we kicked off with a 5 hour training session under the tutelage of Hanshi Watanabe and Shihan Hayes and the guidance of our joint chiefs Shihan Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens.

Saturday morning commenced our 10 hour training session where we covered a wide and varied curriculum with particular attention to detail, the why's, the why not's and a deeper better understanding of the kumite and kata supported with impromptu bunkai demonstrations. Hanshi Watanabe also gave us the benefit of a history lesson by telling us about his training under Shinan Hisataka and of his own experiences and philosophies. If we didn't want to train so much, we could have all listened to Hanshi all day such was the interest in his history. Saturday also saw Sensei Garry Edwards, a 4th Dan in Shito-ryu Karate, attend our session and he gave Hanshi Watanabe and us all an excellent kata demonstration followed by a detailed bunkai.

Following our evening meal we had another training clinic for the Black Belts and 2nd/1st kyu students and then the managing body of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia, the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc, held it's Annual General Meeting. At this meeting Renshi Des Paroz (Kengokai) was elected President, Sensei Tony Fletcher (Shishikai) was elected Vice President, Tashi Lesley Griffin (Seiryukan) was elected Secretary and Shihan Jim Griffin (Seiryukan) was elected Treasurer. Some very tired people went straight to bed after this days activities.

Sunday morning was started with the Yudansha grading which saw Shihan Max Estens commence part of his Rokudan grading, Sensei Tony Fletcher receive his Sandan, Sensei Jason Romer his Nidan and Johannes Rickert his Shodan.  Following the morning grading session, more intense and detailed training carried on through the day till 4:00pm. The long weekend was intense but enjoyable and full of quality information and instruction and although people were weary and tired, there were smiles all round making the long trips made by Shihan Max Estens and his Coonabarabran students from NSW, Sensei Marnie Roberts from Melbourne, Sensei Leanne Sippel from Murgon and Sensei Mark Slingo with his students from Rockhampton, all worth while.

A special thank you to Hanshi Watanabe for making such a long arduous trip from Baltimore. Hanshi Watanabe's presence makes for a special training camp. We also thank Shihan Dan Hayes for making this journey and taking time out from his Long Island Dojo and it was also a pleasure to meet Senpai Zorrian Jomo who travelled from the USA to train wth us.

Finishing off this great weekend was the presentation of a fully hand made engraved large leather diary holder to Hanshi Watanabe. Shihan Dan Hayes was also presented with a leather engraved gift with Senpai Zorrian receiving a leather holder. A special thank you goes to Sensei Christine Perkins (Shishikai Dojo) for her time and effort in making these beautifully crafted gifts.

Roll on 2009 Camp.