Summer Camp 2005 – IKOK(C) Style

Summer Camp 2005 marked a significant milestone for the IKOK(C). This year represented the 21^st summer camp sponsored by our organization, and the large offering yet. 200 Kyokushin enthusiasts and many of their families from the 40 dojos in Western Canada traveled to Ashton Creek, on the Shuswap River for 4 days of training.  Not only did the schedule encompass all of the varied and various aspects of Kyokushin training, but also offered was a session by Sempai Dean Bawtinhiemer, 1^st dan of the Coquitlam Dojo, for cardio-kick boxing.  His wife, Sherry, a qualified Yoga teacher conducted two sessions of yoga.  These sessions were in addition to the regular training and were designed to include anyone present at the camp. 

The training hall for first training Friday night was full. Owing to the 35⁰ C weather outside, the hall was humid and those present sweated freely. First training was lead by Senseis Terry Price, 4^th dan senior instructor from Shihan Stuart�fs Richmond dojo and Brad Gillespie, 3^rd dan senior instructor from the Calgary dojo. Both Senseis came well prepared for the class and worked on Ido Geiko, which emphasized stance transition and movement in many directions. The object of the class was to explore how the kihon and Ido Geiko link functionally to the Jiyu & Jissen Kumite of Kyokushin. 

Saturday�fs first training offered 4 separate areas: 

1. Goshin jitsu lead by Shihan Don of the Rocky Mountain Dojo;
2. Kata lead by Senseis Larry Robinson, 4^th dan, of the Armstrong Dojo & Tom Gillam, 4^th dan, of the Newton dojo;
3. Fighting training lead by Senseis Brad Gillespie, 3^rd dan of the Calgary Dojo & Leo van den Boogaard, 3^rd dan of
    the Langley Dojo;
4. Shihan Stuart conducted special training for the 2005 dan-grading candidates.

Second training offered 4 areas of training: 
1. Fighting training by Senseis Leo van den Boogaard and Sensei Terry Price;
2. Goshin jitsu lead by Senseis Larry Robinson & Tom Gillam;
3. Cardio-Kickboxing lead by Sempai Dean Bawtinhiemer;
4. The dan candidates trained under the watchful eye of Shihan Don to complete the requirements for the goshin
    jitsu portion of their test. 

Shihan Stuart, 6th dan Canadian Branch Chief, conducted evening training. 

Saturday�fs training schedule was full and was made fuller with a morning Black Belt meeting, yoga session and the IKOK(C) annual general meeting (AGM). The IKOK(C) was restructured in 1997 as an incorporated national sport governing body under the auspices of the Government of Canada legislation. The AGM is held to ratify the activities of the IKOK(C) Board of Directors (BoD) and to hold elections for the BoD. As a result of the AGM, the Board of Directors are: 

·        Sensei Larry Robinson – Armstrong Dojo
    Sensei Terry Price – Richmond Dojo
    Sensei Kathy Millar – Richmond Dojo
    Sensei Brad Gillespie – Calgary Dojo
    Sempai Dean Bawthinhiemer – Coquitlam Dojo
    Sempai Kathy Desrocher – Langley Dojo 

To assist the Board in the business of the IKOK(C) & oversee the place of the IKOK(C) in the IKO internationally, Shihan Stuart Corrigal is the Canadian Branch Chief and Shihan Don Corrigal is the Senior Advisor. 

The BoD & membership came to consensus on a number of issues of policy including: 

1.      An IKOK(C) policy on the use of performance enhancing drugs and doping in competition;

2.      A child protection policy;

3.      An equality of women policy;

4.      A commitment to develop a policy on the use of alcohol at Kyokushin events.

5.      The development of a Technical Standards Committee to ensure that the IKOK(C) meets the standards set by the IKO and to develop pedagogical material for instructor & students in the IKOK(C).

Sunday�fs first training offered 3 areas: 

1.      Advanced katas of Sepai & Passai Dai by Shihan Don;

2.      Coloured belt kata by Senseis Kathy Miller, 3^rd dan instructor from the Richmond Dojo & Brad Gillespie;

3.      The dan candidates were once again out through their paces by Shihan Stuart. 

Sherry Bawtinhiemer offered yoga after first training to a full house.  At 11:30 AM the 2005 dan candidates completed the 2005 grading with the fighting portion of the grading. This year 17 candidates applied for grading for 1^st, 2^nd, & 3^rd dan. The fighting was the highlight of the camp and made doubly difficult with the 35⁰ C heat, which manifested itself between 35⁰ & 40⁰ C in the dojo hall. The hall was full of instructors, students, families & friends cheering on the fighters. 

Congratulations to the successful 2005 candidates: 

3^rd Dan
Les Nielsen

2^nd Dan
Baldalip Thind
Bill Dodds
Mike Sandford
Terry Lange
Andy Suitela
Terry Fredlund

1^st Dan 
Simion Gandila
Cathleen Bailon
Scott Somers
Lance Gerber
Matt Hitchen
Tracey Russell
Franco Zanotto
Neil Rowley
Dean Gemmell 

Immediately following the fighting the successful candidates were awarded their new belts. Once again, congratulations to all these IKOK(C) members for their hard work and fine performance. 

As is tradition, following the fighting, Sensei Larry Robinson of the Armstrong Dojo hosted the summer camp BBQ & dance. This year�fs theme was a Hawaiian luau and the camp participants showed up in droves decked out in grass skirts and Hawaiian leis. The crowd was huge, the food excellent and music loud for the Kyokushin family dance. A grand time was had by all. 

A highlight of the camp and BBQ was the presence of Sensei Henry Suitela, 4^th dan instructor of the Surrey dojo. Sensei Henry was the senior sempai at this year�fs camp and it was good to see him there. 

Senseis Larry, Terry & Brad finished Monday�fs training up. They reviewed the weekend�fs offerings in one last class. Then it was time to break camp and clean up.  Everyone went home feeling that this camp was something special. Lots was learned, a few injuries were sustained by some of the participants, but the overwhelming feeling was of satisfaction for a camp well run. 

Big thanks & OSU go to the instructors and Sensei Larry in particular for his organizational skills in pulling the camp together. 

Osu! 

See you next year.

�@

My Shodan Experience
2005 Summer Training Camp
Jul 29 - Aug 1, Ashton Creek, BC

It has now been 10 days since the completion of my shodan test. I�fm bruised and having trouble walking.  To say that I was tested close to my full potential would be an understatement. 

Thus far, I have been a part of Kyokushin, in Canada, for 8 years.  Throughout those years there have been some ups and downs. There were times when I dreaded going to class and others when I looked forward to the challenge of hard work, new techniques and sparring. 

Whether or not I was going to get my shodan was never a concern. It was always there, off in the distance, like wisdom or a mirage. You never quite get to the end or find what you think is water, even though it is always in sight. You have direction; however, it is the journey that is important.  Everything changes along the way, whether you notice it or not. 

This latest step up to shodan has been almost 2 years of preparation. IKOC has set out a guideline of requirements for all shodan candidates. Personally, I think this is great. Not only do we get great satisfaction from completing these requirements.  They are what set us apart from others.  As one grows older and achieves new levels, responsibilities increase. I must now try to set a good example for those following. 

Part of our discipline is both dangerous and primal, stemming from the most basic, combative nature. To teach anybody these lessons is not acceptable. This means taking on the responsibility to lead by example, exuding self-control, respect, humility and responsibility.  We must pay our dues and grow to respect those around us, understand the potentially destructive knowledge we have and use our skills as they are intended.  

Summer Camp was a buzz of excitement in the Calgary camp.  Sixteen �gcow-town�h locals descended to Ashton creek, BC, to show their support and cheer me on. It was a little over whelming.  It�fs quite strange being in the spotlight. Summer Camp has always been, show up, train hard, clean up, go home (trying not to fall asleep on the drive). 

This year was different.  I had a lot to think about. Was I prepared enough to not only remember and perform all the kata and techniques but also to withstand the onslaught of 10 fresh fighters? I really wish I had looked over to see the expression on my fiancé�fs face.  From what I understand it was more of a �gpeek though the fingers, grimace�h. I got through it. I am proud of myself for completing the test. The cheering and screaming from those watching was fantastic. I can�ft explain the satisfaction I felt while standing opposite the other fighters with my head high, body straight... knowing I had just completed 10 fights. 

Sensei Brad Gillespie has spent countless hours coaching and preparing me for this experience. Without all the bag work, rounds, shadowboxing, kata and technical help there is no way I would have got through. Sensei has a wealth of knowledge and experience that all of us can benefit from. Thank you Sensei. 

The students in the McKenzie Lake and Bears Paw Dojos have also been a great source of help and inspiration. Not only were they supportive and interested in the progress but it is refreshing to see how other learn and progress, I draw a lot from watching others learn.  The enthusiasm in the newer students is also infectious. 

As for the future, I don�ft plan to stop. Ever. The Shodan simply represents a milestone along the way. The journey unfolds before me. I can make choices and set an example for others. With the help and guidance of those ahead we can all make knowledgeable choices, enroute, to being the best we can be. 

This test was by far the hardest test, within Kyokushin, that I have faced so far. I wish I could tell you more about the testing procedure but I am sworn to secrecy, so, you�fll have to find out for yourself.  

I am grateful to all those that stood before me and pushed me to do my best. Thank you all!

Lance Gerber
Calgary Dojo

�@

Group Photo (1.1mb)

�@

Photo Gallery

.

�@

�@