18/05/2026
Well, the dust is now settled on our 2026 National camp and we can reflect on the time we spent together.
Friday evening saw an hour of open floor and it was good to see so many people availing themselves of the opportunity.
Saturday morning started with a good warm up and fitness test compliments of Senseis Dee and Dean before breakfast.
Following breakfast, the technical part of the camp started with Lesley and Jim working two groups with Kata Sankakutobi sections 1 and 2 then breakout groups collaborating on bunkai and demonstrations for this part of the kata.
We then split into 4 breakout groups to study Renzoku Shime Waza with Senseis Dean and Eric, Kusanku Dai with Sensei Leanne, Suuji no Kon with Sensei Des and fighting strategy with Senseis Travis and Jaren.
We moved on to parts 3 and 4 of Kata Sankakutobi with Jim and Lesley breakout groups learning then discussing and demonstrating bunkai of these sections.
Yudansha grading demonstrations were next on the agenda. Sensei Mark demonstrated his requirements for his Godan pre-grading. His promotion grading will be in November.
Sensei Eric demonstrated Renzoku Shime Waza, Kata Chinto, Kata Naihanchin, Kata Ufuchiku no Jo and Bo/Jo Kumite and was promoted to a well deserved Sandan.
Sensei Dean then presented Kata Yara Kusanku to a very high level of technical skill and was promoted to an equally well deserved Rokudan.
Both grading promotions were at a standard worthy of their new ranks.
Sunday started with a 6.30am warm up with Senseis Michael and Dean.
This was followed by breakout groups studying Kata Shuri Sanchin with Sensei Des, Gorin no Kumibo with Sensei Mark and Sankakutobi Shodan no Ichi with Senseis Dean and Michael.
Breakout sessions then swapped to Sensei Des reviewing the two Kata he had previously taught, Senseis Dean and Angus on the second side of Sankakutobi Shodan no Ichi and Senseis Tony and Dean T presented Tanbo Waza.
Our final session of the camp was another breakout featuring Senseis Dean and Travis with Renzoku Kansetsu Waza plus Lesley and Jim with Bo/Jo Kumite.
The camp was one of our best and the spirit shown by all from the Mudansha to Yudansha was great. Our bodies were very sore following around 11 hours of actual training but nobody was sorry.
Congratulations to all for your commitment, friendship and spirit. Let’s do it again in November.
