Ashton Creek was once again the venue for the annual Canadian Kyokushin Karate Summer Training Camp. This was the 14th year we have used this venue and as usual, the camp gets better and better with each passing year.

The weather was outstanding with temperatures up to 38C. Over 150 members participated in the training events of the weekend, with the total number at the camp including families well over 200.

Participants arrived from all over Western Canada with the first training class on Friday evening. A general class was held that set the level of enthusiasm that carried on throughout the weekend. Instructors for the camp included: Shihan Don Corrigal, Sensei Terry Price, Larry Robinson, Leo van den Boogaard, Tom Gillam and Stuart Corrigal.

Saturday, July 31 saw three separate training sessions held. Items covered included advanced katas (Passai Dai, Seipai, Sushiho, and Kanku), fighting training, Happo Kuzushi, Goshin Jitsu, Ido Geiko and basic kihon. All the training was well received and everyone in attendance expanded his or her knowledge of some of the finer points of Kyokushin Karate.

Late in the afternoon, the Annual General Meeting of the International Karate Organization Kyokushinkaikan, Canada (IKOK-C) was held. A variety of topics were discussed and two new board members were elected. The IKOK-C is a federally registered organization recognized by the Canadian government.

A surprise training class was held outdoors late in the evening under a beautiful moonlit sky.

Sunday, August 1st started with the morning training followed by a black belt meeting and then the annual dan candidates black belt fighting. Eleven new Shodans were promoted at camp this year and all fought very well in front of a packed hall and rousing support from spectators. Sempai Tats Nakamura, who will be testing for Sandan in October at the North American & International Black Belt Conference in Banff, prepared by successfully completing 20 fights.

 
A camp BBQ was held later in the evening that was once again prepared by Sensei Larry Robinson. Well Done! Following that, the now famous Kyokushin dance was held in the main hall and ran into the wee hours of the morning.

The new Shodans include: HIRO HAYASHI, JERRY GILCHRIST, ANTHONY PEZZOLLA, HUNTER CORRIGAL, BILL STALKER, ALEX KLESCHELSKY, OLGA OULANOVA, JOE JOHNSTON, KATHY DESROCHERS, RYAN DESROCHERS and JEFF HINES. Congratulations to all!

Later in the afternoon, another surprise training was held and the new Shodans each spent 10 minutes instructing the class with their favourite techniques. Although bruised and tired, everyone enjoyed the training.

Last class of the camp was held early Monday morning. Although many of the camp participants had departed to begin their long drives home, a spirited group trained hard to complete the camp and review all that had been learnt on the weekend.

Who are they in the cool looking Japanese "Happi"?