International Summer Gashuku - September 2011

The International Gashuku with over 90 Karateka with students and instructors from the UK and Plzen SKIF from Czech Republic.

Gashuku begins at 6.30am Saturday morning with Kanku-dai and the rising sun coming up over the north sea

As the sun comes up the students were split into groups where further kata and application were taught

The students were split into groups for further application classes for Kanku-dai

A quick warm up around the camp-site

 The students test their psychic ability and fight with their eyes closed

The morning session finishes with Sumo and back to back wrestling ...

With the morning training over we head to the Great Yarmouth dojo

Sensei Leigh taught the Senior grades the kata Gankaku and it's application

The students were put into 4 teams for the weekend events, their first task was to create and be judged on their team Kata

The Kata event was followed by team Handball, Football and again special request from Manchester dojo for 'Netball'

The morning session was followed by the swimming gala which took place between the 4 teams.

1.30 pm and we assemble at the camp-site to walk to the beach

We walk to Winterton Valley where we start the afternoon training

Basics on the Winterton valley dunes..

The teams are warmed up before the beach volley ball tournament begins..

Beach volley ball begins on the sloping pitch

The infamous 'King of the Hill'.... teams have to capture the others flag

Off to the sea to cool off....

To the amusement of the locals beach training begins...

The North sea seems a little cooler than last year..

Sensei Garner takes great delight dunking the students....

You tube video link

The team pyramid building contest begins. The higher the better....

Another excellent afternoon training over and now the traditional rush to the showers

The Saturday evening BBQ is always a great way to unwind from the days proceedings..

The BBQ is a great way to unwind at the end of a fantastic days training.

After the BBQ we retire to the Dolphin bar where we discover sensei Welch in his Saturday night gear !!

The Sunday hike begins at Horsey Mill and is approximately 6 miles, it will take us to the Seal colony on Horsey beach

We break for a 45 minute lesson on self defence techniques from the senior dojo instructors.

The very inventive sand castle building contest is judged...

Followed by the sensei Garner treasure hunt...

The seals are again pleased to see us all ...

  The Team Tug-o-war at Horsey..

 Followed by the Welly-wanging competition

After the games the students were warmed up and more taught self defence techniques..

Gashuku finishes with the awards for various achievements and honours earned over the weekend..