2015 Reports | Canadian Spring Camp
Canadian Spring Camp
22-24 May, 2015
OSU! All,
I would like to take a minute of your time to share with you, my amazing time spent with the Calgary Kyokushin organization. This Camp was held on the weekend of May 22 to May 24. We all had the absolute privilege to be instructed by Shihan Pierre Cataford. Shihan Pierre brought a teaching philosophy to this class, which has etched its way into my current training. Focusing on the basics, learning to complete each move to its’ correct form and taking the time to do it right. This year’s camp was home to not only Shihan Pierre and Sensei Brad, but we also were blessed to have Sensie Alex bring his amazing skills and instruction. With the instructions from Sensei Brad throughout our classes this year and the teachings from this Spring Camp, I can honestly say that our progression into Kyokushin, will have positive impact. Not only did our Shihan and Sensei’s assist in instruction over the weekend, but our Sempia’s were there to help us with questions and answers when needed.
Getting to know all the people who came to this camp, near and far, was fantastic. So many laughs, so many memories, so many smiles, so many sore muscles with smiles….it was truly amazing. This will be an event which I will attend every year, if not for the sore muscles, then the memories. This event was organized from instruction time to fun time to lunch time. While we poured every ounce of energy into the training, if it wasn’t for the efforts of the “food guru” Sempia Michelle and her team of helpers, I am sure we all would have been puddles on the floor.
Thank you so much for the teachings and the memories of this Spring Camp. I am forever grateful.
OSU!
Daniel Berrette
The seventh Annual Canadian Spring camp was held from May 22-24 in Calgary Alberta Canada. This year karateka from all over Canada enjoyed the event including the warm sunny weather. Shihan Pierre Cataford from Montreal was the main guest instructor for the weekend.
Shihan Cataford covered a number of topics including the connection of Kihon, Ido geiko and Kata to Kumite. He stressed the importance of movement, timing, distance and strategy when fighting, giving examples of each and how the techniques he taught are currently being used in international competition. He also took us on a journey with the Bo, exploring the many ways this weapon can be used in practical applications, and for fun. His passion for Kyokushin Karate was obvious throughout the weekend; his sessions spirited, technical and engaging.
Several times during the weekend the group was split up and Sensei Alex Kleschelsky from Vancouver shared the instruction. Sensei introduced participants to the Tonfa, going through some basic movements, and later into the more complex applications of the weapon. It was quickly apparent that he has a deep understanding of the Tonfa. Thank you Sensei Alex!
Most of the time at Spring Camp is spent training, but a lot of time is also spent together eating, sharing stories, playing games and socializing. It is a GREAT camp to build camaraderie and meet new friends. One of the more interesting gatherings of the weekend was a spontaneous group conversation to honour our visitors – all in French! A great big THANK YOU to Sempai Michelle and her crew for preparing all the delicious meals for the weekend.
Once again, Thank you to everyone who supported the event, it made this the best Spring Camp to date. When we work together it is truly amazing how much more we accomplish. We are already looking forward to next year.
OSU!!!!
Spring Camp 2015
Another amazing Spring Training camp! This year the guest instructor was Shihan Pierre from Montreal and Sensei Alex from Vancouver.
Shihan Pierre has been training for 40 years and has been teaching in his dojo for 30. What an amazing instructor, so full of knowledge that we needed a lot more than one weekend to train under him. He taught us all about footwork; forward, back, left, right, practicing with both feet in the lead, working at a 45 degree angle and listening for verbal cues to get used to the timing and precision needed for fighting. Using footwork to get out of the way and then countering with a kick or punch. It was actually all about fighting SMART, you don’t need to be the biggest or strongest, but if you practice fighting smart you will come out on top.
He taught us Mikazuki geri. It’s a Crescent kick, in between a Mae geri and Mawashi geri. I watched a youtube video on it today. The move the instructor was demonstrating was from Pinan Go where you have to kick into your hand. For anyone who has been in kata class with me you’ll know why that is so darn funny!!
Saturday was a great training day that started with relays at 7:30 am. It was full of Kihon, more concentration on our footwork with the focus on timing and precision. Shihan Pierre had yellow belts and above outside working on different stances and kicks at a 45 degree angle. Sensei Alex was inside concentrating on Self defense and the proper execution of Mawashi geri.
Weapons Training this year was a definite eye opener. Shihan Pierre taught the Bo staff outside. A favorite to those I talked too, they loved learning how to spin it fast and jab with it. Also spinning the Bo Staff over their heads to attack a second time. Sensei Alex taught techniques and kata using the Tonfa. He was amazing to watch, the speed and accuracy with which he handled the Tonfa’s was so incredible he made it look easy. I can tell you from personal experience it was anything but.
The annual Officiating clinic and Mini Tournament was a definite highlight. Everyone was able to participate and we followed the official IKOKC open rules. It gives everyone a different perspective from bystander to fighter to corner judge. I know just how fast those corner judges have to make decisions before it is too late.
The one thing that takes up most of the weekend isn’t necessarily the training but the comradery that goes along with it. We sat around Friday night and listened to why everyone got into karate and what it means to them. You learn so much about everyone that you normally don’t get the chance to talk to in class. The Kyokushin spirit that was with everyone was my highlight of the weekend. It means so much more to train with people who push you to be your best just be training hard next to you.
Special thanks to Shihan Pierre and his wife Sensei Karine from Montreal, Sensei Alex from Vancouver, Sensei Brad who organized the Spring Camp and Sempai Michelle and her helpers for all our wonderful food.
We have an awesome group of Kohai’s and Sempai’s in our dojo. We have an amazing karate family and weekends like this make you realize how fortunate you are to be a part of it.
I love my Kyokushin family!!
Osu
Tracy Hrycak
I would like to take a minute of your time to share with you, my amazing time spent with the Calgary Kyokushin organization. This Camp was held on the weekend of May 22 to May 24. We all had the absolute privilege to be instructed by Shihan Pierre Cataford. Shihan Pierre brought a teaching philosophy to this class, which has etched its way into my current training. Focusing on the basics, learning to complete each move to its’ correct form and taking the time to do it right. This year’s camp was home to not only Shihan Pierre and Sensei Brad, but we also were blessed to have Sensie Alex bring his amazing skills and instruction. With the instructions from Sensei Brad throughout our classes this year and the teachings from this Spring Camp, I can honestly say that our progression into Kyokushin, will have positive impact. Not only did our Shihan and Sensei’s assist in instruction over the weekend, but our Sempia’s were there to help us with questions and answers when needed.
Getting to know all the people who came to this camp, near and far, was fantastic. So many laughs, so many memories, so many smiles, so many sore muscles with smiles….it was truly amazing. This will be an event which I will attend every year, if not for the sore muscles, then the memories. This event was organized from instruction time to fun time to lunch time. While we poured every ounce of energy into the training, if it wasn’t for the efforts of the “food guru” Sempia Michelle and her team of helpers, I am sure we all would have been puddles on the floor.
Thank you so much for the teachings and the memories of this Spring Camp. I am forever grateful.
OSU!
Daniel Berrette
The seventh Annual Canadian Spring camp was held from May 22-24 in Calgary Alberta Canada. This year karateka from all over Canada enjoyed the event including the warm sunny weather. Shihan Pierre Cataford from Montreal was the main guest instructor for the weekend.
Shihan Cataford covered a number of topics including the connection of Kihon, Ido geiko and Kata to Kumite. He stressed the importance of movement, timing, distance and strategy when fighting, giving examples of each and how the techniques he taught are currently being used in international competition. He also took us on a journey with the Bo, exploring the many ways this weapon can be used in practical applications, and for fun. His passion for Kyokushin Karate was obvious throughout the weekend; his sessions spirited, technical and engaging.
Several times during the weekend the group was split up and Sensei Alex Kleschelsky from Vancouver shared the instruction. Sensei introduced participants to the Tonfa, going through some basic movements, and later into the more complex applications of the weapon. It was quickly apparent that he has a deep understanding of the Tonfa. Thank you Sensei Alex!
Most of the time at Spring Camp is spent training, but a lot of time is also spent together eating, sharing stories, playing games and socializing. It is a GREAT camp to build camaraderie and meet new friends. One of the more interesting gatherings of the weekend was a spontaneous group conversation to honour our visitors – all in French! A great big THANK YOU to Sempai Michelle and her crew for preparing all the delicious meals for the weekend.
Once again, Thank you to everyone who supported the event, it made this the best Spring Camp to date. When we work together it is truly amazing how much more we accomplish. We are already looking forward to next year.
OSU!!!!
Spring Camp 2015
Another amazing Spring Training camp! This year the guest instructor was Shihan Pierre from Montreal and Sensei Alex from Vancouver.
Shihan Pierre has been training for 40 years and has been teaching in his dojo for 30. What an amazing instructor, so full of knowledge that we needed a lot more than one weekend to train under him. He taught us all about footwork; forward, back, left, right, practicing with both feet in the lead, working at a 45 degree angle and listening for verbal cues to get used to the timing and precision needed for fighting. Using footwork to get out of the way and then countering with a kick or punch. It was actually all about fighting SMART, you don’t need to be the biggest or strongest, but if you practice fighting smart you will come out on top.
He taught us Mikazuki geri. It’s a Crescent kick, in between a Mae geri and Mawashi geri. I watched a youtube video on it today. The move the instructor was demonstrating was from Pinan Go where you have to kick into your hand. For anyone who has been in kata class with me you’ll know why that is so darn funny!!
Saturday was a great training day that started with relays at 7:30 am. It was full of Kihon, more concentration on our footwork with the focus on timing and precision. Shihan Pierre had yellow belts and above outside working on different stances and kicks at a 45 degree angle. Sensei Alex was inside concentrating on Self defense and the proper execution of Mawashi geri.
Weapons Training this year was a definite eye opener. Shihan Pierre taught the Bo staff outside. A favorite to those I talked too, they loved learning how to spin it fast and jab with it. Also spinning the Bo Staff over their heads to attack a second time. Sensei Alex taught techniques and kata using the Tonfa. He was amazing to watch, the speed and accuracy with which he handled the Tonfa’s was so incredible he made it look easy. I can tell you from personal experience it was anything but.
The annual Officiating clinic and Mini Tournament was a definite highlight. Everyone was able to participate and we followed the official IKOKC open rules. It gives everyone a different perspective from bystander to fighter to corner judge. I know just how fast those corner judges have to make decisions before it is too late.
The one thing that takes up most of the weekend isn’t necessarily the training but the comradery that goes along with it. We sat around Friday night and listened to why everyone got into karate and what it means to them. You learn so much about everyone that you normally don’t get the chance to talk to in class. The Kyokushin spirit that was with everyone was my highlight of the weekend. It means so much more to train with people who push you to be your best just be training hard next to you.
Special thanks to Shihan Pierre and his wife Sensei Karine from Montreal, Sensei Alex from Vancouver, Sensei Brad who organized the Spring Camp and Sempai Michelle and her helpers for all our wonderful food.
We have an awesome group of Kohai’s and Sempai’s in our dojo. We have an amazing karate family and weekends like this make you realize how fortunate you are to be a part of it.
I love my Kyokushin family!!
Osu
Tracy Hrycak
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