National Training Camp 2009

The Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Australia Training Camp was held the weekend of 3-5 April at the Chapel Hill Camp on Queensland Sunshine Coast. Members for this year’s camp came from the following Dojo:

• Kennankai Melbourne (Vic)
• Kengokai Sydney (NSW)
• Kensuukan Coonabarabran (NSW)
• Kazoku Murgon (Qld)
• Shishikai Brisbane (Qld)
• Seiryukan Bribie Island (Qld)
• Yagizakai Rockhampton (Qld)

Friday the 3^rd of April saw the Black and Brown belts arrive ready to begin training and we launched into a very spirited session of the Sai Bo no kumite lead by Shihan Jim and Renshi Des. This was an excellent lesson and everyone threw themselves into either learning or re-learning this kumite.

Saturday morning commenced our 9-hour training session where Shihan Jim and Shihan Max conducted formal introductions and welcomes. Shihan Jim then read messages from HanshiWatananbe and Hanshi Myron Lubitch (Shinzen Kyokai). While Hanshi Watanabe may not have been physically there with us, we know he was there in spirit and everyone recognized this.

A warm up session prepared us for the next lesson on kihon waza and the remainder of the day was a mixture of kata, kumite, goshin-jitsu, formal discussions and regular demonstrations from those grading. In addition, some students doing their Yudansha grading took lessons in Izutsu no waza and Sai Bo no kumite under the watchful eyes of Shihan’s Jim and Max and Renshi Des.

Following the evening meal the managing body of Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia, the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Association Inc, held its Annual General Meeting. At this meeting the National Executive were elected:

• President Renshi Des Paroz
• Vice President Sensei Tony Fletcher
• Treasurer Shihan Jim Griffin
• Secretary Renshi Lesley Griffin

Sunday saw the continuation and revision of Saturdays work with Shihan Max leading us through some in depth explanations of joint locking and pressure points which were then put into practice.By the sounds of the groans and tapping out, it was obvious everyone was getting into this session especially Shihan Jim and Sensei Jason who seemed to be trying to out do each other and take their joint locking to the next level.

The latter part of the morning saw the Mudansha being put through their grading and the following received their promotions:

• Joanna Choe (Kengokai) 2nd Kyu Brown Belt
• Alan Reading (Shishikai) 3rd Kyu Green Belt Brown Tip
• Andrew Plowman (Shishikai) 4th Kyu Green Belt
• Chris Savini (Shishikai) 4th Kyu Green Belt
• Sam  Dennien (Kazoku Dojo) 4th Kyu Green Belt
• Ben Oliphant (Shishikai) 5th Kyu Orange Belt Green Tip

After lunch, Shihan Max Estens provided us with a demonstration, as did Renshi Des Paroz and Tashi Lesley Griffin who were all doing their final testing stage for their promotions. On completion of these senior belt demonstrations, Shihan Jim Griffin conducted the formal promotions and presentations to:

• Shihan Max Estens - promoted to Rokudan
• Renshi Lesley Griffin - promoted to Godan
• Renshi Des Paroz - promoted to Godan
• Sensei Mark Slingo - promoted to Sandan
• Amanda Bugden - promoted to Nidan
• Dean McKernan - promoted to Nidan
• John McDonnell - promoted to Shodan

At the end of the Yudansha grading, Shihan Jim presented some Yudansha members with certificates and ceremonial belts from the Shinzen Kyokai.

After a formal bow out, congratulations were abundant and lots of photos were taken. The respect and camaraderie shown by all at the end of this camp attests to the closeness of our Australian Shorinjiryu family and the support everyone gives to each other.

As it was last year, the weekend was intense but enjoyable and full of quality information and instruction. Although people were weary and tired, there were still smiles all round making it all worthwhile and I know we all look forward to next year for more training and especially to catch up with Hanshi Watanabe.

Domo arigato