The camp started with NSW Chief Instructor, Shihan Max Estens (an avid rock climber) leading several of us on a “scramble” up Mt Timor, to the point where the serious rock climbing begins.  This was repeated later in the same day for some who had missed out, and for those wanting to undertake a repeat performance!

The formal training saw us work through Naihanchin Sho no Kata, a variety of joint locking techniques, many of the Sankakutobi Kumite (including the full Sankakutobi Nidan series), Renshu Ichi no Kumite and Nijushiho no Sai no Kata.

Many thanks to all who made the effort to attend. Many stated that this camp was one of the best they had been to, a fact reflected by Joint Chief Instructor, Shihan Jim Griffin.  The training was excellent, the venue was ideal, the company excellent, and the food superb.

Many thanks to all who attended, and to the Kensuukan Dojo in Coonabarabran for the excellent organization – in particular to Shihan Max and Sensei Dean McKernan.

Saturday 6^th Sept 08 – Kazoku Dojo Official Opening

The Kazoku Dojo (as named by Kaicho Watanabe during his April 08 visit), was recently opened by Sensei Leanne Sippel in her home town of Murgon some 3hrs drive Nth West of Brisbane.

On Saturday 6^th Sept 08, Sensei Leanne held her first training and grading camp. Shihan Jim Griffin our Qld Chief Instructor, Tashi Lesley Griffin, Sensei Tony Fletcher and Sensei Christine Perkins made the trip to Murgon for the official opening of the Kazoku Dojo and to assist Sensei Leanne with the training and to conduct the grading.

The training consisted of a warm up, Kihon Waza (basics) and then a session on Goshin Jutsu (self defence) and Kata Bunkai led by Shihan Jim. Individual work with those grading followed these sessions. The Mudansha who attended were Brittany Hockenhull, Nev Kratzmann, Anne Kratzmann, Samuel Dennien, Jared Sippel, Cody Hockenhull and Courtney Sippel.

Congratulations goes to Nev Kratzmann and Samuel Dennien for their promotion to 8^th Kyu and to Sensei Leanne for returning to Shorinjiryu after many years away and now opening her own Dojo

As with previous years, the black/brown belt training day was held to coincide with the anniversary of the death of our founder, Kori Hisataka, Shinan. This year celebrates the 20th anniversary of his passing and our training was fittingly by the waters edge with the sun in full blossom and a brisk fresh breeze blowing into our faces.

The early morning saw us kick off with individual warm ups and then the rest of the morning session was focused on an in-depth session on Sanchin no kata led by Renshi Des and guided by Shihan Jim. This session included a history lesson from Renshi Des, more explanation about the kata of Sanchin and various demonstrations of bunkai for the kata.

The next training session was then on Sankakutobi Kumite led by Shihan Jim and Renshi Des. This was a fantastic lesson and thoroughly enjoyed by all. While there were a few sore muscles, there were still smiles of appreciation and enjoyment in being introduced to the Sankakutobi movements of Sankakutobi kumite.

We then focused our attention on a spirited session of Kudaka Sai Kata or as we know it, Nijushiho no sai no kata which continued on for the rest of the afternoon. During the course of the day, we were treated to the various kata, kumite and bukiho demonstrations from Senpai John who was grading for his shodan-ho and Nidan Mark Slingo who was doing his pre-grading demonstration for his San Dan. After a full on six (6) hour training session, we paid our respects to Shinan with a formal bow and headed off to freshen up for our annual Black Belt dinner.

Sunday morning commenced our SEQ training and grading day involving the other mudansha members as well as those that trained on Saturday. Senpai John took us for an excellent warm up with Sensei Christine following up with a session on kihon waza. Such was the interest in the Sankakutobi kumite from Saturday, this was extended into our training session on Sunday and again, thoroughly enjoyed by all. Further training with revision sessions for those grading, filled the rest of the training until it was time to conduct the grading.

Four mudansha were put through their paces with all suceeding. Senpai John finished his long and arduous grading session which started on the Saturday culminating in a physical and vigourous shiai session to see him awarded shodan-ho. Nidan Mark Slingo was also put through his paces demonstrating his grading requirement to Sandan.

Congratulations goes to all and keep watching for the photos to be posted.

11-13th April    Shorinjiryu Kenyukai Watanabe Ha Karate Australia National 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.