Shorinjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo Australia

Friday 17th, Sat 18th and Sund 19th April 2015, saw the members of Shornjiryu Koshinkai Karatedo gather on Bribie Island Queensland for the 2015 National Training Camp (Gasshuku 合宿)

This year saw attendance of members from Kennankai (Melbourne), Kensuukan (Coonabarabran), Kengokan (Sydney/Newcastle), Blue Mountains dojo, Shishikan (Sth Brisbane), Kazoku (Murgon), Kensuikan (Rockhampton) and Seiryukan (Bribie Island). Collectively, our members travelled 10,500km round trip to attend the camp, showing their true dedication and support of our Koshinkai School. A credit to them all and much appreciated not only by the seniors, but by us all. Thank you everyone, you make these camps worthwhile.

We officially welcomed our new members from the Blue Mountains in NSW to their first National Training Camp. The dojo Instructor Sensei Travis Foss along with Sensei Jaren Foss, travelled to Bribie Island with other members of their dojo. They were warmly welcomed and integrated well into the training and activities for the weekend. It was great to see them there.

We make special mention that Shihan Des Paroz our President and Instructor of the Kengokan Dojo, is currently serving in the Australian Naval Reserve. Lieutenant Paroz, RNR, is serving aboard HMAS Anzac and sailing to Anzac Cove for the commemoration of the Gallipoli landings 100 years ago. While Shihan Paroz is not physically with us this year, he has sent messages of recognition and support and as Kyoshi Jim stated, Shihan Paroz is here with us in spirit

Our camp kicked off on Friday with the senior members (Brown and Black belts) working through Buki-ho with Kyoshi Jim taking the class on sword training and performing Gokyoku no Ken. Shihan Max followed on with Nijushiho no Sai and sessions on Kudaka no Jo, Gorin no Bo and Shishiryu no Bo followed, rounding out the days weapons training. The afternoon finished off with the Koshinkai Fitness test undertaken by those Yudansha grading at this camp. Other members also joined in, completing either the 5km walk lead by Kyoshi Jim with Shihan Max overseeing those completing the beep test with everyone doing the required sit-ups and push ups

Early on the Friday evening, the Australian Shorinjiryu Karatedo Assoc (ASKA) Inc, held it's Annual General Meeting. Various topics were discussed including the tabling of the dojo reports from the respective instructors, plus the Presidents and Treasurers reports. The National Executive positions were declared vacant, nominations from the floor were called and new elections were conducted. The following were nominated and elected to the National Executive Committee for 2015/2016:

President: Des Paroz
Vice President: Tony Fletcher
Treasurer: Jim Griffin
Secretary: Lesley Griffin
Councillor: Max Estens

The Vice President (in absence of the President) thanked the members for their continued support of the Executive. Following a good training schedule and the AGM, the day was capped off by an excellent meal at the local surf club establishment.

Saturday's start at 0615 had us doing Ten Chi Jin with Sensei Dean on the foreshore while the dolphins and dugongs swum in the water in front of us. After a hearty breakfast the formal camp started with the official welcomes and bow in by Kyoshi Jim Griffin and Shihan Max Estens. The mornings activities consisted of a revision program of our syllabus incorporating demos by everyone plus demonstrations by those Yudansha as they fulfilled their grading requirements throughout the day.

The afternoon training continued and then moved into the Yudansha grading and we are pleased to announce the following:

Dean McKernan promoted to Yondan, 4th Degree Black Belt and awarded the Title of "Tasshi"
Anne Kratzmann promoted to Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Dee Foster, promoted to Nidan, 2nd Degree Black Belt
Olivia Grech, promoted to Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt
Deji Balogun, promoted to Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt
Leisa Dunmore, promoted to Probationary Black Belt (Shodan Ho)
Eugenie Martin, promoted to Probationary Black Belt (Shodan Ho)

Additionally, we also congratulate Sempai Terry Allen from the Shishikan Dojo as the 2015 recipient for the "Karateka of the Year award.

After a full day of training, grading, promotions, awards and presentations, the group settled into some fine cuisine of pizza and beer. It is always fantastic to be together as a group in a social setting as people share their stories, relate past events, be able to spend time with others from different dojo and develop stronger bonds of camaraderie and friendship. This is our Shorinjiryu family.

Sunday saw another early start before breakfast revisiting Sankakutobi Shodan Ichi on the foreshore. Back in the dojo, the continuation of our syllabus revision included kata Seisan an extended session of Sankakutobi kata and a spirited Randori Ni. At the end of our Sunday training session and lunch, it was time to sign off for another year and prepare for the journey back home.

It is the sign of enthusiastic training and the enjoyment of being with our fellow Koshinkai Karateka, when the end of the training camp looms upon us, people were not in a hurry to leave. Good byes are always sad but there were a lot of smiles and hugs as people bonded after a great training camp. We all look forward to the next one.

A special thanks to the instructors for their help, to those organisers who made the camp happen and of course to all the students for coming along and putting their best foot forward. Everyone take a bow and a big round of applause. See you all next camp.